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Solitude in the Park
“I wonder how busy the park is,” I mumbled to myself as I drove aimlessly on my day off from work. Cruising by, I curiously checked the parking lot for other souls. Remarkably, I was the only one. Even on a gorgeous day such as this! In a bittersweet moment, I pondered if I preferred a bystander’s company. Or should I savor the moment of solitude?
By Jessica Varvilabout a year ago in Critique
Sunday Funnies
What is or was your favorite Sunday comic(s) to read and enjoy? I have had a few and still have. My all-time favorite is 'The Family Circus' by Bil and Jeff Keene. The family who changes with the times but doesn't seem to grow up, but what memories this one-panel comic brings to mind. My other favorite is 'Hi and Lois' by Mort Walker for it is related to 'Beetle Bailey' for Beetle is Lois's brother or cousin, I believe. I get a kick out reading all these even now on my computer. Memories for me abound from these ones.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Tunisian Man Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Refusing to Listen to President's Speech
In a development that has sparked serious concerns among human rights activists and international observers, a Tunisian citizen has been sentenced to six months in prison for refusing to listen to a televised speech by President Kais Saied. The unusual and controversial sentence, handed down by a local court, has once again brought Tunisia's declining state of freedom of expression under the spotlight. According to the citizen’s lawyer, Adel Saghir, the case began when the man, already incarcerated on a separate charge, declined to watch or listen to a presidential address broadcasted on national television. This occurred within a local prison facility, during a news bulletin that featured live coverage of President Saied's activities. The Case and the Charges The incident came to light when one of the man’s fellow inmates reported his refusal to prison authorities. An investigation followed, and the prisoner was later charged under Article 67 of the Tunisian Penal Code, which traditionally deals with offenses against the head of state. However, perhaps sensing the political sensitivity of invoking this article, the court eventually dropped the original charge and sentenced him under public decency laws instead. According to the court's reasoning, refusing to listen to the president’s speech amounted to “indecent behavior in public” and “setting a poor example for society.” The verdict, Saghir claims, was politically motivated, despite attempts to frame it as a non-political issue. The modification of charges was allegedly done to avoid labeling the case as one of political repression or a direct attack on freedom of thought. > “The authorities did not want this to be seen as a political punishment, so they shifted the charge to a vague violation of public decency,” said the lawyer. “But everyone knows the real issue was the refusal to comply with what they consider a show of loyalty to the president.” What Happened in Prison? The man was reportedly in a provincial detention facility, where he was serving time for a prior, unrelated case that had recently concluded. During the airing of the president’s speech, when asked to watch the broadcast, he refused, saying he had no interest in the president’s activities or speeches. It is also reported that he may have made disrespectful comments about the president during that time, which further fueled the legal response. Human rights NGO Tunisia League for Human Rights confirmed that the man had completed his sentence in the earlier case and was on the verge of release. His family had been preparing for his return home. However, this new charge blocked his release, resulting in yet another prison term. According to the NGO, “The man did not commit any criminal offense in a conventional sense. He merely expressed disinterest in a political figure’s speech. The decision to imprison him again is not only unjust—it is alarming.” Broader Context: Tunisia's Shrinking Civic Space Since his controversial power grab in 2021, President Kais Saied has been widely criticized for eroding democratic norms in Tunisia. He dissolved parliament, took control of the judiciary, sidelined political opponents, and passed a new constitution via referendum—moves seen by critics as steering Tunisia toward authoritarianism. Many Tunisian and international observers believe that this latest incident is emblematic of a broader pattern of silencing dissent. Journalists, civil society leaders, and now even ordinary citizens are increasingly finding themselves under threat for expressing views that do not align with the official narrative. > “This is not just about one man refusing to watch a TV broadcast,” said a regional expert on North African politics. “This is about a regime that sees any form of indifference or criticism as a threat to its legitimacy.” A Deal with Italy and Political Anger There is an additional layer to this story. The individual reportedly expressed anger toward President Saied over a recent agreement signed with Italy, which involves cooperation on the deportation of undocumented migrants. The man had previously been deported from Italy after residing there illegally. However, under the new agreement, returning to Tunisia may carry criminal consequences, further complicating the lives of many former Tunisian migrants. This agreement, hailed by some European governments as a breakthrough in controlling migration, has faced criticism inside Tunisia for being exploitative and dangerous for returning citizens. The convicted man’s comments against the president, as per his lawyer, were partly fueled by this personal frustration and political disagreement. International Reaction and Human Rights Concerns Human rights organizations in Tunisia and beyond are calling for the immediate release of the man and a re-evaluation of laws that criminalize nonconformity or dissent. They warn that such actions risk setting a dangerous precedent, where even silence or disinterest can become a punishable offense in an authoritarian system. > “Punishing someone for not watching the president’s speech is a gross violation of personal liberty,” said a representative from Amnesty International. “This is not just repression—it’s absurdity, weaponized.” So far, there has been no official response from the Tunisian presidency or the Ministry of Justice regarding the incident. --- Conclusion This case highlights the increasing crackdown on freedom of expression and political neutrality in Tunisia. What may seem like a minor act of protest—refusing to listen to a televised speech—has led to a six-month prison sentence, underlining the extent to which civic space in Tunisia has deteriorated. As international pressure builds, many are watching to see whether Tunisia will uphold basic human rights—or continue its descent into political repression cloaked under legal formalities.
By Ikram Ullahabout a year ago in Critique
Diagrams of Sentences
I have an idea that could be many pieces of writing and art for I was reading and commenting on my notifications and other stories. While, scrolling through others works I stopped on one that brought back a very fond memory for me, although it is an odd one, but here goes. I am going to hunt for varied lengths of sentences and diagram them as artwork for some are very intricate almost like advanced math problems. The images will be the diagrams with a brief description. Some will be short and some very long. Please comment on this idea.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
🎼 Music: The Language That Speaks When Words Fail . AI-Generated.
Have you ever listened to a song and felt like it was telling your story—without a single word? Music is a universal language, but not in the way we usually think of language. It doesn’t rely on grammar or vocabulary. Instead, it uses rhythm, melody, harmony, and silence to speak directly to our emotions.
By The Yume Collectiveabout a year ago in Critique
How Often Are the Sheets in the Love Island USA Villa Replaced? Here's What Really Happens
Let’s finally settle this debate, and the others as well! The villa beds are getting plenty of action in Love Island USA's seventh season, therefore viewers are curious: how frequently are those sheets actually being swapped out? Luckily, past Islanders have given some insight into this very topic.
By Chinua Nelson about a year ago in Critique
Why am I in the dark, Vocal?
Why am I in the dark, Vocal? I remember the enjoyment of writing poetry, knowing I would show no one. Then I decided to share, I put lots of poetry out there. People loved it. I gave it my all. Joining Vocal was the best day of all. Yet even though my work was and is good, I am held back by Vocal. I feel just not good enough. Maybe it’s just a passing thing, maybe. Maybe it will right itself or again be a praised thing. Vocal really should treat all the same, not put the same names up there every week to win and get all the fame. We all deserve a little praise as we write our hearts out on good and bad days. We pay the same yearly fees, so treat us all right. My poetry at least deserves that right.
By ♿ V+ Marie381Uk about a year ago in Critique
Monday morning chores
Well, another Monday morning and it's chore day for me. Usually, the first easy chore to do is to make my coffee and empty the dishwasher. After that it all depends on what I feel needs done. Laundry is started and after sharing this short article decided to vacuum the living room furniture and rugs followed by dusting the furniture. The beds have already been made, and the dogs have been walked and fed even though that everyday chore which is not really a chore is the first to be done. Who has a particular day for their chore day?
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Whispers of The Soul
I tasted death in the air, like cigarette ashes on my tongue. The thick woodsy flames that rose up on my father left patches of missing skin. His oils didn’t help with the stiff, leathery, charred-black skin that never grew back. It smelled like bleach and gasoline with a sharp stench of acrid.
By Angel Aguilarabout a year ago in Critique
My Writing projects working on
One morning I was thinking over some ideas for writing as well as going through some old college and graduate school notes and old papers that I wrote for school. Well going through those why not somewhat re-write them and post them here. My first will be my first graduate school paper that is titled 'My Educational Autobiography'. I am also thinking of re-answering some of the discussion questions as well for some articles too. Most of those will be about 'andragogy' or 'adult education' for that is mainly what I went back to school for to become a 'professor'.
By Mark Grahamabout a year ago in Critique
Donald Trump’s Role in the Iran-Israel Conflict
The Iran-Israel conflict is one of the most volatile and enduring rivalries in modern geopolitics, shaped by ideological, religious, and strategic opposition. While the seeds of this conflict were sown decades ago, the role of U.S. presidents—particularly Donald Trump—has been pivotal in influencing its trajectory. Trump’s presidency (2017–2021) marked a period of significant policy shifts in the Middle East, with direct implications for the Iran-Israel dynamic. His administration's bold decisions, especially the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the strengthening of U.S.-Israel ties, intensified regional tensions and reshaped alliances across the region.
By Intresting Storiesabout a year ago in Critique
