Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 2 - Revision history

Aorii at 15:58, 11 March 2023

2023-03-11T15:58:13Z

Aorii at 20:11, 20 February 2023

2023-02-20T20:11:03Z

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Aorii at 15:57, 24 January 2023

2023-01-24T15:57:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:57, 24 January 2023
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	''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.		''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.

	There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' turned America into a beacon for much of the world. ~~However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that too often violated~~ the ~~international laws~~ it ~~claimed to enforce --~~ a ~~classic example~~ of ~~'rules for thee, but not for me'~~.		There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' turned America into a beacon for much of the world. Even Kaede's father had begrudgingly admitted when Kaede engaged him on how much worse the Soviet Union would have fared during the Great Patriotic War had it not been for Lend Lease, or how many average Russians had a positive opinion of common Americans during much of the Cold War.

	Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to nation-states.		The problem was that since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that too often violated the international laws it claimed to enforce -- a classic example of 'rules for thee, but not for me'.

			Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to institutions like nation-states.

	Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So he decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So he decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:
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	"I am ''not'' calling you 'Master', you Shounen fanatic," Kaede retorted.		"I am ''not'' calling you 'Master', you Shounen fanatic," Kaede retorted.

	"''Wuxia'', not Shounen." Daichi insisted. "~~That~~ Japanese ~~stuff~~ is a ~~pale~~ imitation. And you ~~should~~ know ~~better~~. ~~Since~~ when have you ever met someone who learned how to discuss real politics from Shounen?"		"''Wuxia'', not Shounen." Daichi insisted. "The Japanese genre is a descendent and simplified imitation. And you would know if you actually read more into ''literary history.'' Besides, since when have you ever met someone who learned how to discuss real politics from Shounen?"

	It was another one of their shared interests. Daichi's background even gave him a unique perspective. His grandfathers, both of them, had fought in the World War... on opposite sides of the Chinese front.		It was another one of their shared interests. Daichi's background even gave him a unique perspective. His grandfathers, both of them, had fought in the World War... on opposite sides of the Chinese front.

Aorii at 18:57, 14 January 2023

2023-01-14T18:57:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:57, 14 January 2023
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	"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."		"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."

	"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?" ~~She~~ referred to the term popularized by the American applied historian Graham Allison.		"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?" He referred to the term popularized by the American applied historian Graham Allison.

	The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.		The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.
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	''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.		''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.

	There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' ~~truly~~ turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that ~~constantly~~ violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.		There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' turned America into a beacon for much of the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that too often violated the international laws it claimed to enforce -- a classic example of 'rules for thee, but not for me'.

	Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to nation-states.		Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to nation-states.

	Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So ~~she~~ decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So he decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:

	"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.		"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.

Aorii at 18:07, 4 September 2022

2022-09-04T18:07:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 4 September 2022
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	There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.		There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.

	Clearly, the saying that '~~absolute~~ power corrupts ~~absolutely~~' applied ~~also~~ to nation-states.		Clearly, the saying that 'power corrupts' also applied to nation-states.

	Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So she decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So she decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:

Aorii at 18:07, 4 September 2022

2022-09-04T18:07:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 4 September 2022
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	''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.		''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.

	There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has ~~become~~ an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.		There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has slowly evolved an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.

	Clearly, the saying that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' applied also to nation-states.		Clearly, the saying that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' applied also to nation-states.

			Nevertheless, Kaede wasn't about to start a debate over state philosophy over breakfast. So she decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:



	~~Therefore~~ Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:

	"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.		"So, have you liberated your rear of its 'Freedom Gas' today?" He referred to recent news of Americans naming their natural gas 'Molecules of Freedom' and trying to force Europe to buy them.

Aorii at 18:05, 4 September 2022

2022-09-04T18:05:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:05, 4 September 2022
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	The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.		The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.

	"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will likely remain so for another quarter century. They should at least pretend to be diplomatic, and not like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes," Konstantin explained as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning. "Still, the virus has made its landfall in America. We'll soon see if they retain the right to call themselves 'world leader', or if their politicians only know how to bullshit."		"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will likely remain so for another quarter century. They should at least ''pretend'' to be diplomatic, and not like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes," Konstantin explained as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning. "Still, the virus has made its landfall in America. We'll soon see if they retain the right to call themselves 'world leader', or if their politicians only know how to bullshit."

	"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." Kaede gave an amused shrug, which prompted a snort from his father.		"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." Kaede gave an amused shrug, which prompted a snort from his father.

	"You're not wrong about that!" His father loudly agreed with a twisted smirk. "Whatever else you can say about Trump, he's at least frank about the Americans' daydreams. They've always sought to strut the globe and enrich themselves at the world's expense, only to turn around and claim it's 'freedom'. Maybe the Clintons should pay a visit to the markets of bombed-out ~~Libya~~ and tell the enslaved African migrants how ''free'' they ought to be feeling!"		"You're not wrong about that!" His father loudly agreed with a twisted smirk. "Whatever else you can say about Trump, he's at least frank about the Americans' daydreams. They've always sought to strut the globe and enrich themselves at the world's expense, only to turn around and claim it's 'freedom'. Maybe the Clintons should pay a visit to the markets of Libya which they bombed out and tell the enslaved African migrants there how ''free'' they ought to be feeling!"

	A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism.		A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism.

			''Though to be fair, it wasn't 'always' the case.'' Kaede thought.

			There was a time when America actually practiced the values it espoused, back when Roosevelt's 'Good Neighbor Policy' and Marshall's 'European Recovery Program' truly turned America into a beacon for the world. However since then, America has become an ego-centric superpower that constantly violated the international laws it claimed to enforce.

			Clearly, the saying that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely' applied also to nation-states.





	Therefore Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		Therefore Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:

Aorii at 23:11, 12 April 2022

2022-04-12T23:11:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 12 April 2022
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	"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."		"Meanwhile what do the Americans do?" Konstantin continued. "They politicize every technical mistake the Chinese make, even going as far as making the World Health Organization their whipping post! Anyone with half a brain should know that 'discovery' is a process of trial-and-error. It would be more surprising if the Chinese did ''not'' make major blunders when they're the first to encounter the virus."

	"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?"		"Is it any surprise though?" Kaede thought aloud. "''Thucycides' Trap'' -- a declining hegemon is always fearful of a rising power. Isn't that what you've taught me?" She referred to the term popularized by the American applied historian Graham Allison.

	The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.		The father turned to look upon his son with a gruff but proud smile.
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	It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.		It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.

	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But apart from him, whom else do we have? All the others are either incompetent or ~~Western~~ asskissers."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But apart from him, whom else do we have? All the others are either incompetent or asskissers of the West."

	Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug ~~again~~. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past century. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.		Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past century. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.

	Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."

Aorii at 22:25, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T22:25:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:25, 27 February 2022
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	It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.		It was actually something he was proud of. It showed that he could often grasp and even represent another culture's viewpoint.

	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But ~~he's also~~ the ~~most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place~~."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But apart from him, whom else do we have? All the others are either incompetent or Western asskissers."

	Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug again. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past ~~two centuries~~. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.		Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug again. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past century. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.

	Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."

	''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.		''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense media Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.

	Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.		Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.

	"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change. Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"		"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest American bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in Bucharest 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"

	His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:		His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:

Aorii at 19:25, 27 February 2022

2022-02-27T19:25:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 27 February 2022
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	"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."		"''The US doesn't need allies, only vassals'' -- Putin could not have said truer words," Konstantin declared with an annoyed sigh. "I admit that their media is right about one thing: Putin is an ambitious tyrant surrounded by kleptocrats, and we all know it. But he's also the most competent leader Russia has seen since Catherine the Great. Only an imbecile can think that just because he's gone, someone better would take his place."

	Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug again. He wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father ~~here, but~~ it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past two centuries. Stalin was competent, ~~except~~ he also practiced murder on an ~~industrialized~~ scale. Putin's ~~performance~~ may ~~be in decline~~, but he would always be remembered by Russians for ~~his work~~ pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.		Kaede gave a noncommittal shrug again. Once again, he wasn't sure if he'd agree with his father. Though it was certainly true that Russia hadn't seen many great rulers in the past two centuries. Stalin was competent and knew how to get things done, however he also practiced murder on an industrial scale. Putin's policies may have grown more controversial, but he would always be remembered by older Russians for pulling the Motherland out of its post-Cold-War economic collapse. Families tended to remember the day when paychecks started flowing and food could be put on the table again.

	Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."		Regardless, the young man settled on a realist answer instead: "probably why the Americans hate him so much -- the tragedy of Great Power politics."

	~~Konstantin nodded with a smirk~~. ~~His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him~~.		''If only this rivalry didn't manifest into an intense Russophobia that caricatures all Russians.'' Kaede hid his faint scowl.

	"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change! Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO~~, because~~ to ~~hell if Russia is going to be some satellite of the EU or US~~, ~~good for only the extraction of our natural resources~~!"		Meanwhile, Konstantin nodded with a smirk. His gaze was full of pride for the son who had learned so much from him.

			"Of course, they'd much rather a piss drunkard like Yeltsin stay in charge, pawning off the Motherland's assets to the highest bidder and pocketing the change. Gorbachev sold us out and we learned the hard way that Russia can never coexist with NATO! We made it absolutely clear to them back in 2008 that NATO expansion into Ukraine and Georgia were red lines, yet they still treat us like idiots!"

	His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:		His father was still not done when his mother came to interject with gentle smile:

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 11 March 2023
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	"More finger-pointing by the Americans. Not that it's anything new," Konstantin commented with disgust before he picked up the tablet and swiped. "There is actually interesting news though -- Motegi met with Lavrov to discuss 'concrete steps' in resolving the Kuril Islands dispute," he read the title before his lips formed something between a grin and a scowl. "The tides are finally turning. The Japanese are starting to think foreign policy for themselves, instead of simply adopting whatever their American overlords wished."		"More finger-pointing by the Americans. Not that it's anything new," Konstantin commented with disgust before he picked up the tablet and swiped. "There is actually interesting news though -- Motegi met with Lavrov to discuss 'concrete steps' in resolving the Kuril Islands dispute," he read the title before his lips formed something between a grin and a scowl. "The tides are finally turning. The Japanese are starting to think foreign policy for themselves, instead of simply adopting whatever their American overlords wished."

	"Abe and Xi's meeting last year certainly ruffled the Americans' feathers," Kaede pitched in before he grabbed a glass of orange juice. Honey on toast was his favorite at breakfast, but it was perhaps a bit too dry by itself.		"Abe and Xi's meeting last year certainly ruffled the Americans' feathers." Kaede pitched in before he grabbed a glass of orange juice. Honey on toast was his favorite at breakfast, but it was perhaps a bit too dry by itself.

	International politics was arguably his father's biggest hobby. As a result, Kaede found himself well-versed in the maneuvering of leaders and nation-states.		International politics was arguably his father's biggest hobby. As a result, Kaede found himself well-versed in the maneuvering of leaders and nation-states.
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	"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will remain so for at least another quarter century. They should at least ''pretend'' to be diplomatic, to establish international cooperation in the face of a global crisis, and not act like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes." Konstantin voiced with contempt as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning.		"Yes. But in decline or not, America is still the dominant power of the world, and will remain so for at least another quarter century. They should at least ''pretend'' to be diplomatic, to establish international cooperation in the face of a global crisis, and not act like gleeful bandits overjoyed by the arsonist's crimes." Konstantin voiced with contempt as he stirred the hot bowl of Shchi cabbage soup that he preferred in the morning.

	Kaede couldn't help but make a wry smile. Certainly, for a political realist, the ideological mud slinging that had replaced traditional diplomacy was toxic. Gone were the days of Habsburg Chancellor Metternich and American Secretary of State Kissinger, when statesmen conducted themselves with rational calculation behind professional courtesy. It was what allowed the Cold War to stay cold, while the United States and Soviet Union continued to work together on issues that benefited everyone, such as the non-militarization of space.		Kaede couldn't help but make a wry smile. Certainly, for a political realist, the ideological mud slinging that had replaced traditional diplomacy was toxic. Gone were the days of Habsburg Chancellor Metternich and American Secretary of State Kissinger, when statesmen conducted themselves with rational calculation behind professional courtesy. It was what allowed the Cold War to stay 'cold', while the United States and Soviet Union continued to work together on issues that benefited everyone, such as the non-militarization of space.

	Yet today, ~~all we have was~~ the ~~mass propaganda~~ of "we're good, they're evil" ~~elevated to~~ the realm of statecraft. Now, even diplomats would tout propaganda slogans like "all non-democratic nations are evil dictatorships", just like how Church priests once told sermons of "all non-Christian peoples are evil pagans" to their parishioners until it became engraved into their subconscious.		Yet today, this rationalism has given away to the oversimplified rhetoric of "we're good, they're evil", even in the realm of statecraft. Now, even diplomats would tout propaganda slogans like "all non-democratic nations are evil dictatorships" at summits, just like how Church priests once told sermons of "all non-Christian peoples are evil pagans" to their parishioners -- repeated enough times until it became engraved into their subconscious as conditioning.

	''The real problem with humanity is that we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.'' Kaede sighed as he thought of the famous quote.		''The real problem with humanity is that we have paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and god-like technology.'' Kaede sighed as he thought of the famous quote.
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	Nevertheless, Kaede simply didn't have the time for a debate over political philosophy before school to open this broader topic.		Nevertheless, Kaede simply didn't have the time for a debate over political philosophy before school to open this broader topic.

	"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." He opted for a ~~casualty~~ shrug in an attempt to downplay the events, which prompted a snort from his father instead.		"I doubt 'diplomatic' is in their current president's vocabulary." He opted for a casual shrug in an attempt to downplay the events, which prompted a snort from his father instead.

	"You're not wrong about that!" His father fumed. "And now all we have is a shitshow between these so-called Chinese 'wolf-warrior diplomats' who make a mockery of diplomacy, and an American political establishment who's more pretentious than the Soviet newspapers we used to wipe our ass with! At least their current president is frank about the truth of American politics -- capitalists enriching themselves at others' expense just like how their corporations plundered Mother Russia to bare bones after the Communist collapse."		"You're not wrong about that!" His father fumed. "And now all we have is a shitshow between these so-called Chinese 'wolf-warrior diplomats' who make a mockery of diplomacy, and an American political establishment who's more pretentious than the Soviet newspapers we used to wipe our ass with! At least their current president is frank about the truth of American politics -- capitalists enriching themselves at others' expense just like how their corporations plundered Mother Russia to bare bones after the Communist collapse."

	A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism. It wasn't surprising, as although Konstantin was no fan of the Soviet regime, he was badly affected by the 'rape of Russia' that happened after the Soviet collapse -- when the capitalist West set loose their corporate hounds upon the crumbling Russia economy and began to de-industrialize Russia.		A scowl stretched across Konstantin's lips as he leaned in to drink a spoonful of soup. There was nothing that riled him up as quickly as the topic of American Imperialism.

	In fact, had Konstantin not taken a job to teach in Japan during that time, it was possible that Kaede's grandparents would have died from malnutrition and ~~medicine shortage~~ before they ~~even had~~ grandkids.		It wasn't surprising, as although Konstantin was no fan of the Soviet regime, he was badly affected by the 'rape of Russia' that happened after the Soviet collapse -- when the capitalist West set loose their corporate hounds upon the crumbling Russia economy and began to de-industrialize the Motherland.

			In fact, had Konstantin not taken a job to teach in Japan during that time, it was possible that Kaede's grandparents would have died from malnutrition and a lack of medication before they ever met their grandkids.

	Nevertheless, a weekday breakfast was no time for political rants. So Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:		Nevertheless, a weekday breakfast was no time for political rants. So Kaede decided to soften the mood, if only by a little:
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	"Trump..." His father snorted out between laughing coughs. "Has the subtlety of a baboon's arse."		"Trump..." His father snorted out between laughing coughs. "Has the subtlety of a baboon's arse."

	"Which is exactly why his voters like him," Kaede shrugged. "Look on the bright side though -- all the US-China scuffles have pulled their press off Russia for a few months, at least until their elections swing around."		"Which is exactly why his voters like him," Kaede shrugged. "Look on the bright side though -- all the US-China scuffles have pulled their press off villainizing Russia for a few months, at least until their elections swing around."

	It was more for his father's benefit than his own. Kaede was proud to have Russian roots from his father's side, but he himself had at least been able to keep a degree of distance. In online comment threads, Kaede had been called everything from a 'Russian Troll' to a 'Chinese Wumao' to a 'Muslim Terrorist' to a 'Zionist Jew'...		It was more for his father's benefit than his own. Kaede was proud to have Russian roots from his father's side, but he himself had at least been able to keep a degree of distance. In online comment threads, Kaede had been called everything from a 'Russian Troll' to a 'Chinese Wumao' to a 'Muslim Terrorist' to a 'Zionist Jew'...