Michael Hopcroft

"Hail to the Chief" will be replaced at all public functions by "The Liberty Bell March".

Talk about how much better things would be if he were President.  It's kinda strange how few people laugh at him about that now.
 
NT:  With the slogan, "Hey, I can't be worse that the current one," Foxbat decides to run for President in 2020.  What are the main planks of his campaign platform?

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

As I've heard it described, ice hockey is "sixty minutes of men [or women] in short pants hitting each other with their sticks."

"It's your turn to rule Venice!"

Killmonger is one of those villains who's "so right he's wrong" -- he sees a genuine problem (massive oppression of a particular class of people) and seeks to apply a terrible solution (ignite a global race war that would kill billions and leave the planet in ruins). In a sense he's reminiscent of Magneto, with his response to the hatred of mutants -- putting him in elite company among Marvel villains.
 

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

For what it is worth, I saw Black Panther again, last night. It holds up remarkably well upon second viewing, with more time to really listen to every line, and what the characters are saying and how they are reacting. W'kabi, given just enough screen time to make the case for a certain faction in Wakanda that is already willing to project power outside their borders, overtly and with a mind to conquer, is very important. Killmonger simply taps into that particular drive, not being the lone aggressor by any means. 
 
In the end, with T'Challa realizing that each position has "some" truth and validity to its argument, he does, as Michael says above, "do it on his own terms"... avoiding continued isolationism, but not through aggression, through optimistic outreach. It is actually pretty clear that it is Nakia's position that he takes to heart and finds a way to implement.
 
Other than noting one small plot hole (Did Killmonger really fly from South Korea to Central Africa in that crappy Cesna?) I found the movie even more enjoyable and moving than the first time I saw it. If Marvel movies tend to be "Genre x plus supers" then this was Shakesperean royal tragedy plus supers, done very well. I actually teared up a bit at the very end, on the basketball court, with the young boy asking T'Challa, "Who ARE you?"

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

I think the key to that, ironically, may have been Agent Ross. T'Challa's first renewed impression of Ross is that he's a cynic, a liar, and a bit of a toady. Whether Ross had been setting a trap for Klaue that was about to backfire horrifically or was genuinely following orders to obtain the Vibranium even if it meant enriching a murderous mercenary, he does not make a good first impression. The T'Challa does something surprising in refusing to let Ross die or become a quadriplegic, even after Klaue had given him his story of Wakanda. He did this even though he didn't know he wouldn;t be betrayed by "the white boy" again.
 
Then Ross shows something remarkable -- gratitude. He sets aside his cynicism and fights for T'Challa's vision of Wakanda even though he is convinced T'Challa is dead. Even though his government would adore the chance to grab Wakandan technology for themselves. He overcomes cynicism and finds nobility, and to T'Challa this is something completely new -- an outsider in Wakanda who isn't out to gain power or make himself rich (as Klaue did).
 
And in his way Killmonger was just as much an outsider as Ross. Before this, he had never even set foot in Wakanda. Everything he knew about it was dim memories passed on from his father -- who was an exile with a grudge -- and further shaped by what T'Challa's father had done to his.
 
Presented with these conflicting examples, T'Challa was both smart and empathic enough (allowing KIllmonger to see the Wakanada sunrise before he died was a brave act of mercy) to realize that Wakanda would inevitably be exposed, and if so he might as well do it on his terms. Continuing the extreme isolation of tradition would be suicidal.

Killmonger is one of those villains who's "so right he's wrong" -- he sees a genuine problem (massive oppression of a particular class of people) and seeks to apply a terrible solution (ignite a global race war that would kill billions and leave the planet in ruins). In a sense he's reminiscent of Magneto, with his response to the hatred of mutants -- putting him in elite company among Marvel villains.
 

Killmonger is one of those villains who's "so right he's wrong" -- he sees a genuine problem (massive oppression of a particular class of people) and seeks to apply a terrible solution (ignite a global race war that would kill billions and leave the planet in ruins). In a sense he's reminiscent of Magneto, with his response to the hatred of mutants -- putting him in elite company among Marvel villains.
 

Hat tip to Tasha
 
Guess this means Shuri joins Hela, Goddess of Death, as Disney Princesses from the MCU. 
 

Q: You saved us from those awful Conquistadores, Mr. Huitzilopochtli!  How can we ever repay you?
 
A: Here is your Deep One Kit(TM), and thank you for your patronage.

The Koreans would reeeally take umbrage. 

Guns are in the Constitution. Schools are not. It would easier to get rid of the schools than it would be to get rid of the guns.

Guns are in the Constitution. Schools are not. It would easier to get rid of the schools than it would be to get rid of the guns.

Petey the Stone Cold Penguin (Mascot of the sport of Curling) would like to remind us that the Winter Olympics are under way in Korea.
 
Who's watching them? What sports are you watching? Which countries are you rooting for? And how do you watch, if you can?
 
"Sweep! Sweep!"

Petey the Stone Cold Penguin (Mascot of the sport of Curling) would like to remind us that the Winter Olympics are under way in Korea.
 
Who's watching them? What sports are you watching? Which countries are you rooting for? And how do you watch, if you can?
 
"Sweep! Sweep!"

The problem with that is that these three species are dependent upon another species -- Man -- for their survival. Domestic chickens and pigs would become literally extinct in a few decades if we as a species would decide to totally stop eating them or using their related products like eggs and leather.

The problem with that is that these three species are dependent upon another species -- Man -- for their survival. Domestic chickens and pigs would become literally extinct in a few decades if we as a species would decide to totally stop eating them or using their related products like eggs and leather.

Which explains why their movies are so bad.
 
WHAT?