u/solfell

I know that people can't just show up at a foster home and pick out a kid to take home with them. I know it's a long, difficult, expensive process. Even adopting domestically is difficult, yeah, and maybe that's a flaw in the system. Children in foster homes and orphanages around the world are at a disadvantage.

I honestly don't understand the whole biological imperative thing--for whatever reason that concept doesn't click with my brain. I know many people want to have kids, but I've never felt even an inkling of that want. To that effect, I don't understand the obsession with adopting babies. From a practical standpoint, adopting babies makes sense, but emotionally? I... I'm lost.

It's one of those subjects that, because there's so many ways someone can be special needs, it's difficult to even come to a consensus about it. It still needs to be talked about, of course.

My mom and stepmom both work with people who have disabilities. (Mom's a teacher; stepmom is a social worker.) They both agree that some of the most important lessons they've learned in their whole lives were from people with disabilities. Like, my mom's been working with disabled youth since the 70s, and she still doesn't know what to say when asked, "Is it ethical to have children when you're fairly certain they're going to have serious mental/physical health concerns?" So, yeah, it's a difficult topic.

Ack, no! Nooo, that's isn't what I meant. I have several inherited issues, physically and mentally, but none of those things will directly kill me. Most are treatable--hypothyroidism, obesity. Chances are I'll live a full life and as long as I take care of myself with diet/exercise, and won't develop any conditions that will interfere with the life I want to live. (Fingers crossed.)

I meant conditions where there is undue suffering, and/or a severely hindered quality of life. Like, terminal genetic disorders where there isn't treatment. Huntington's disease comes to mind. Personally, the idea of having a degenerative disorder is rather terrifying, especially if I'd be aware of that degeneration while it happens. Suicide isn't uncommon in that situation.

I'm not saying that's always the case, or that there's always a way to know 100% what will be inherited and how a disorder will present itself. Humans are freaking complicated, and there's a million ways things can go wrong. People with terminal disorders can still be happy people, and lead important, meaningful lives.

But if a parent is a carrier for a disorder that could lead to the premature deaths of their children, would they want to risk it? I don't want to tell people what to do; the ethics of parenting and having children are really difficult, and I'm frustrated by how I can't fully articulate that.

Well, now that I think about it, 'undue suffering' is super arbitrary. One could call my anxiety/depression disorders a source of undue suffering, as well as something that could kill me. (Honestly, this time last year, it could've gone that way.)

My biggest issue in regards to parenting is how many people are so committed to having their own children, when there are already children out there who need homes. (Don't get me started about overpopulation.) It could be argued that adoptive parents don't know all the things that could be 'wrong' with an adopted child, but same goes for any biological child.

I knew all that experience wrangling monitor lizards wouldn't go to waste!

Alright, I understand that, and I can see where I'm doing the arguing-thing where I'm on the same side. Extreme suffering isn't a good way to live, I very much agree.

I will, however, point out that the phrase "Genetically Deficient Children" makes me cringe. It makes it sound as if someone is automatically lesser, that their inferiority is hard-wired into their DNA. At least, that's how I end up reading it, and I figure you didn't mean it like that. So, yeah, this is a very difficult subject, especially with the subjectivity of language.

Just because someone has a physical deformity doesn't mean they won't have fulfilling relationships. And, yeah, their lives will have different difficulties. What about people who have accidents that leave them physically deformed? It sounds trite, but how someone looks shouldn't have to do with their worth. I think there are more people who understand that than there aren't.

I believe that parents who undergo amniocentesis and find severe issues with a fetus are within their rights to abort (anyone should have the right to abort) and that parents who have one or more children with inheritable conditions that should probably not have more children. I don't think it's fair to boil it all down to cold, hard science and "biological imperatives," however. It's not fair to those people who aren't "normal," and it's not fair to the people who love and care for them.

There's a decent chance that those parents at the church had the option to give their daughter up as a ward of the state. (In the US that was an option up until the mid 1970s. In my state, at least.) Obviously they chose differently. Allow them the dignity of their choice.

I never thought I'd end up quoting Peggy Carter into my reddit discussions, but whoop, there it is.

I'd probably say ANH is my least favorite of the original trilogy, but I still love that movie a lot. It feels inaccurate to call it my least favorite, you know?

I love Jabba's Palace, because I've always loved the ambiance of that place, as well as the glimpse we get into Jabba's baller lifestyle. Also, rancor.

The ewoks aren't nearly as terrible as Jar Jar. He's the worst. Jar Jar is stupid, and a racist caricature; the ewoks are friggin' adorable. Then again, it's possible I've been brainwashed by the Ewoks animated tv series and the live-action tv movies.

I legit gasped--she's so lovely!

As if I didn't need another reason to go to Build-A-Bear...

...well shit.

I think you're onto something there.

I don't really remember coming out to most of my friends? Like, in college I lived in a house with a bunch of other lgbt people/allies and during one of our house meetings I was like, "Hey, I'm genderqueer." And everyone was cool with it.

With my parents, I called them and said, "Hey, want to go out to eat?" I was a full time student at the time, and often didn't reach out to do things with my parents because of it, so they knew something was up. So, we went out to eat at the local Indian place, and after the plates were cleared away, I was like, "Okay, let me tell you a thing." It went well. They were a bit confused, but it's been almost three years now and things are much better.

I'm the middle of seven siblings. For my eldest brother, I spontaneously came out to him while driving in the car. For my youngest brothers, twins, I took them to the zoo and came out to them on a bench by the snow monkeys. They're 14, and were super chill about it. The rest of the brood got an email where I explained things, and gave them a list of educational resources.

It definitely helped that I came out to my siblings after Caitlyn Jenner came out and got that Espy award. The 14-year-olds are super into sports, so I started the conversation with talking about her.

I miss the Mako, even if it does steer like a bucket of tartar sauce.

The whole drive-the-Mako-around thing made the galaxy feel a lot bigger, and that we were actually explorers in new places. That feeling isn't as profound in ME2 and ME3. Makes images like this one all the more lovely!

I suppose my thoughts are rather heretical--in my mind, Hufflepuffs are focused on doing what's right. They're committed to justice, fairness, and tend to be very welcoming/accepting of others. Hard work and loyalty are important to Hufflepuffs--they're also stubborn in their beliefs, and aren't willing to take the easy path just because it's easy.

Honestly, I completely reject the idea that Hufflepuffs are just everyone who isn't smart, brave, or evil. Helga Hufflepuff did say she'd take the rest, but I've always interpreted that as a pillar of Hufflepuff traits--the easy acceptance of others. (Ravenclaws also are super inclusive, but more of "I can't think of a reason not to accept others" whereas Hufflepuff thinking is more in line with "everyone deserves to feel wanted.")

I can very much see Ty Lee going along with Mai and Azula in part to escape from Hufflepuff, absolutely.

I have a terrible history of sympathizing with villains. Not ones like Ozai or Voldemort, but Azula had friends, and sure she was a monster, but it still hurt her that her own mother thought she was a monster. I just wonder what she could've become if it weren't for Ozai, you know? I think deep down, she has the potential for good, much like how deep down Zuko has the potential for evil.

I also imagine they'd want to be in Gryffindor, and that sort of self-determination is probably important in the sorting hat's deliberations.

You know, I've always kinda wondered what would happen if Harry was in Slytherin. I've talked with my friends about this and a few of them think very little would have changed. A few others were like, "Dude, Harry was super abused all throughout his childhood. It's amazing he doesn't have a crap ton of issues relating to that. Slytherin house would probably bring out the worst in him." I'm still conflicted on that front. But, yes, I really do want a Potter in Slytherin. I want a Potter and a Weasley in Slytherin. That's the dream.

A lot of my info regarding not-Gryffindor houses is from Pottermore. And the HP wiki. Which I wouldn't call super credible, but it's the best we've got, really.

The thing about villains is that almost always I believe they have the ability to be good. If the stars align just right, that sort of thing happens. It helps that Zaheer does want things to be better than they've been. He comes from a fairly idealistic point of view, and I imagine that give him a better ability to change or adjust his mind.

Oh, yeah, that's true. I tend to forget about that since Pikachu's always been Ash's pokemon in my mind, yeah? Like, Pikachu gets his own category. Also, I never played Pokemon Yellow :(

Ah, too bad there aren't a pair of cats--one could be named after each!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Well, besides Pikachu, I'd say the gen 1 starters are some of the most recognizable pokemon. They've been around since the 90s.

There's also the nostalgia factor for the kids/teen who were involved in the first wave of "poke fever."

Ahhh, what a cutie!

Here are a few ideas off the top of my head: Waffles, Quesadilla, Cahoots, Persephone, Lady Pumpkin, Skeletor, Grimalkin, Papaya, Hekate

Okay, now I want to write about Roombas.

More specifically, DJ Roomba.

Well, Hufflepuffs want to do the right thing. They'll bend over backwards to uphold their beliefs, and to ensure justice. I keep thinking of how Katara masqueraded around as the Painted Lady. Then again, she totally blew up the FN outpost in that episode and I associate explosions with Gryffindors. I mean, yeah, Katara and Iroh are ultimately Gryffindors.

Just the wish to stand out is so Slytherin, yeah? Ty Lee is the cutest Slytherin ever, I've decided. And Mai is the gloomiest Slytherin. Azula can get the award for most terrifying. I actually have a lot of empathy for Azula, and it's almost too easy to imagine her in Zuko's place.

I have ulterior motives to Mako and Bolin not being Gryffindors. Because then we have Ravenclaw Asami, Hufflepuff Bolin, Slytherin Mako, and Gryffindor Korra. (Or Gryffindor Mako and Slytherin Korra.) I just... I love groups that represent the houses equally.

That's the funny thing--Slytherin and Gryffindor are set up as these huge rivals, but when you look closely, they're super similar. Yes, I do agree with you on that, and that's probably why I waffle back and forth when it comes to sorting Korra.

Ravenclaws can be just as cutthroat as Slytherins, especially when it comes to proving their beliefs/ideas over others, which is why I think of the Red Lotus as Ravenclaw. Of course, that's just my opinion and I'm just one lone nerd on the internet!

Oh, I really like that idea! I don't agree with Zaheer, but I do respect and admire him. He'd be a pretty interesting spiritual advisor. Also, I can see Korra going to see him more than once just to prove to herself that she can.

Okay, first I'd suggest you add a trigger warning to this post for having transphobic elements.

It's good that you've recognized that you have an issue with trans men--a lot of people don't get that far, or even want to change.

Trans men are men. They just are, and it's not up to you to decide who someone is. No one claims to be gay men--they are gay men. Just because someone was given different labels at birth doesn't make their identity now any less valid, you know?

I don't really know why, so I start making up all sorts of arguments.

Alright, like what? What's your main hangup regarding trans men? What are the arguments that you throw around? Have you actually sat down with a trans guy and talked to him about his experiences, how he feels, what he thinks? Trans men are people. If this all comes down to what a guy has in his pants, that's pretty shitty of you (and your friend) to reject someone based on that.

Think of all the shit gay/bi men have to deal with--why would you want to do those things, or similar things, to anyone else?

Sorry if I'm coming off as harsh, but I'm trans and this subject is important to me. I really want to have this conversation and help you figure out what's happening in your head, yeah?

Zuko and Toph are very much Slytherins. Yes, I totally agree with that. But I feel like Zuko is the Neville Longbottom of Slytherin, especially when we look at what he was like as a kid, pre-exile. Toph is a great example of how Slytherins can be great people.

Katara and Iroh could also be Hufflepuffs! They're both committed to doing the right thing ("I will never turn my back on people who need me") but the steps they take to maintain their beliefs totally do stray into Gryffindor territory.

I like the idea of Slytherin Mai and Hufflepuff Ty Lee, since Slytherin-Hufflepuff friendships can be the strongest friendships. However, Slytherin Ty Lee speaks to me, especially with her history of wanting to distance herself from her cookie-cutter sisters.

Azula is, like, the quintessential evil Slytherin. (She gives the rest of us nice Slytherins a bad name. I still love her, tho.)

Mako and Bolin are so very Gryffindor, but I'd entertain Hufflepuff (Bolin) and Slytherin (Mako) arguments. And now I want to see Asami in Ravenclaw blue!

Aang is Hufflepuff, through and through, in my opinion.

I wouldn't necessarily call Slytherins 'mean-streak Gryffindors' since Slytherins are known for almost extreme levels of self-preservation. Gryffindors can be super reckless--Slytherins tend to frown on all that nonsense. I'd put Korra in Gryffindor, though I could totally see her in Slytherin. She has a strong drive and doesn't always play by the rules.

I'd argue that the Red Lotus, as a group, is Ravenclaw. Their whole issue with the White Lotus boils down to an ideological difference of opinions. That's some cerebral stuff there, and I think sometimes Ravenclaws have issues translating their ideas into reality. So, the whole chaos thing with the Red Lotus, it's not necessarily the best way for the world to work--it's the opposite of the authoritarian regimes we've seen in the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom, and going from one extreme to the other doesn't often bode well, you know?

You make a super valid point. I have good relationships with my parents (especially my dad and step-mom), but my eldest brother is absolutely horrible to our dad. Like, there are so many reasons for my dad to wash his hands of my brother, but he keeps trying because he loves us. It's been so painful to watch, and I can't imagine what it must be like to be treated that way.

I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't be able to keep trying with an adult child who's consistently belligerent towards me. Hell, I've been distancing myself from my brother because of how he's treated our dad, and how he's tried to get me involved.

Wow. There are so many things that bother me about this, you know? Like, first, there are so so so many children without homes--why can't people adopt instead of undergoing medically unnecessary procedures? I'm solidly childfree, but if I were to ever entertain the idea of having kids, I'd take the adoption route.

Also, it's one thing for a living person to donate their uterus. I'd do that in a heartbeat, but that has more to do with me not wanting my uterus and less to do with "making someone's dream come true." It seems like overkill (no pun intended) to use a dead person's uterus.