White peacocks fighting for dominance
(via coronacalavera-deactivated20120)
1. The role and functions of a pawn.
2. The weakest pieces on the board; numerous; interchangeable; existing to be sacrificed for the benefit of the real players.
3. Unlike other pieces, a pawn may not retreat. It can only go forward, one step at a time.
4. A pawn cannot capture a piece that blocks its path. It may only proceed if the opposing piece concedes ground, or if a different route is offered.
5. The en passant capture is a special move that permits one pawn to successfully attack another without directly engaging it.
6. Otherwise, the only way a pawn can capture is by going one step forward and to the left or right, in a single diagonal move.
7. In very rare occasions, if a pawn is allowed to cross the entire board, unscathed…
8. …it may be promoted to a queen, and, perhaps, turn the tide of the war.
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(Source: idrils, via pokemondarkcrystal)
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I did some cursory research on this. Here’s what I found out:
- The land was seized by the US government in 1877. This kind of thing was not uncommon - there was, at the time, a systemic tendency of the government to annex Native American land seen as “valuable” and relocate the people living there.
- The current owners of the land are not members of the Sioux tribes who venerate the site, but have left it undeveloped and given them access to it for their rites up to now.
- The land is going up for auction starting on August 25th - two days from this writing. Some money has been raised by the indigenous peoples to buy back the land, but not enough to be sure they can secure it, and any other group expected to seriously bid in the auction would probably be developing the land commercially or putting in roads - which would be a desecration of the sacred sites in the eyes of Sioux culture.
It seems strange to me that there is even a question here. It seems strange that anyone else would be bidding on this land, given what it means to the Lakotan people and the fact that the land was annexed from them to begin with. It seems incorrect that they should have to buy it back at all.
But things being as they are, it couldn’t hurt to send some cash their way to help.
(Source: broke-glamour-blog, via amummy)
(via lovenature)
Little SnowmanxSlick gift for doktorsomewhere
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Hey, this post may contain adult content, so we’ve hidden it from public view.