KapteinB's recent activity

  1. Comment on Open letter to the president of the Russian Federation from the president of Ukraine in ~society

    KapteinB
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    Ukraine Marks Russia Day With Massive Drone Raid on Petrochemical Plants in Tatarstan and Samara (Kyiv Post)

    Ukraine Marks Russia Day With Massive Drone Raid on Petrochemical Plants in Tatarstan and Samara (Kyiv Post)

    What to know: Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on Russia on Friday, striking major petrochemical and oil refining facilities in Tatarstan and Samara region. Fires broke out at multiple energy sites, including the Nizhnekamskneftekhim complex and Taneco refinery, while Russia claimed to have downed 231 drones overnight. The attacks disrupted Russia Day celebrations and temporarily shut regional airspace.

    4 votes

  2. Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books

    KapteinB
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    I went to a jazz concert with Lars Saabye Christensen, and enjoyed it so much I bought a (signed) copy of his latest book, Kitchen. First book of his I've ever read. It's pretty good, but I think...

    I went to a jazz concert with Lars Saabye Christensen, and enjoyed it so much I bought a (signed) copy of his latest book, Kitchen. First book of his I've ever read. It's pretty good, but I think I prefer him as a jazz vocalist rather than as a writer.

    Only got about a fifth through the book before I accidentally left it at the gate in Schiphol. :-(

    Schiphol, by the way, is the only airport where I've seen a cheese shop next to a tulip shop. The Netherlands is clearly not a real place, and I'm pretty sure I hallucinated the whole thing.

    In any case, at the next airport I bought a copy of Stephen King's 2018 book The Outsider, which I'm currently reading. First book of his I've ever read. Really enjoying it so far! More of a mystery thriller than horror, though I suspect we'll find out there's something supernatural at play. I'll try to remember to make a post when I get further into it.

    1 vote

  3. Comment on Haken - in a fever dream (2026) in ~music

  5. Comment on Babylon 5 S01E12: "By Any Means Necessary" - Episode Discussion in ~tv

    KapteinB
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    Wouldn't have guessed G'Kar was the religious type. From his conversation with his assistant, seems the Narn follow a range of different religions (or prophets, or books), but there are...

    Wouldn't have guessed G'Kar was the religious type. From his conversation with his assistant, seems the Narn follow a range of different religions (or prophets, or books), but there are non-believers among them as well.

    12.2 light-years from Narn, that's just a little over 10 of your light-years.

    That broke my brain for a moment. How can a light-year not be the same everywhere? Well obviously because planets have different orbital periods! Nice detail.

    I think this is actually my favourite episode so far. Great drama between the striking dockworkers, the Earth senate, and poor commander Sinclair caught in the middle. Fun loophole he found. Workers of the galaxy unite!

    C'est la lutte finale
    Groupons-nous, et demain
    L'Internationale
    Sera le genre humain.

    1 vote

  6. Comment on Open letter to the president of the Russian Federation from the president of Ukraine in ~society

    KapteinB
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    Ukraine Wipes Out 5,000 Tons of Ammunition at Russian Navy Arsenal Near St. Petersburg (United24 Media)

    Ukraine Wipes Out 5,000 Tons of Ammunition at Russian Navy Arsenal Near St. Petersburg (United24 Media)

    A Ukrainian drone strike on a Russian Navy ammunition storage facility in Russia’s Leningrad region reportedly destroyed around 5,000 tons of munitions.

    According to information published by the Russian military-focused Telegram channel Dosye Shpiona on June 7, Ukrainian forces struck the Russian Navy’s 15th Arsenal near Bolshaya Izhora in Russia’s Leningrad region on June 6. The site serves as a major ammunition depot for the Baltic Fleet.

    5 votes

  7. Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of June 1 in ~society

    KapteinB
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    Trump to hit more than 60 countries, including Canada, with new tariffs over 'forced labour' (CBC)

    Trump to hit more than 60 countries, including Canada, with new tariffs over 'forced labour' (CBC)

    The Trump administration plans to impose new tariffs on dozens of trading partners, including Canada, over allegations the countries are allowing goods produced by forced labour into their supply chains.

    It's the White House's latest step to replace the broad-based tariffs that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

    1 vote

  8. Comment on Babylon 5 S01E11: "Survivors" - Episode Discussion in ~tv

    KapteinB
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    I just had a realisation, and maybe I'm crazy, but is there a chance Londo's makeup was inspired by first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (in his later years, after he shaved his...

    I just had a realisation, and maybe I'm crazy, but is there a chance Londo's makeup was inspired by first president of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (in his later years, after he shaved his moustache and stopped wearing a hat)? He has the forehead baldness and the very distinct eyebrows, and even the same stern expression we often see on Londo's face.

    Back on topic; not my favourite episode so far, but nice to learn some of Garibaldi's background.

  9. Comment on Babylon 5 S01E11: "Survivors" - Episode Discussion in ~tv

    KapteinB
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    Is there something off with the audio, or should I get my headphones checked?

    Is there something off with the audio, or should I get my headphones checked?

  10. Comment on Ukraine’s intermediate-range strike campaign and new mechanized attacks herald the start of a new phase of the war | ISW in ~society

    KapteinB
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    Sweden Hands Ukraine 16 Gripen Jets Armed With 200-km Missiles, Opens Deal for 22 More (Kyiv Post)

    Sweden Hands Ukraine 16 Gripen Jets Armed With 200-km Missiles, Opens Deal for 22 More (Kyiv Post)

    Sweden announced it will transfer 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets to Ukraine free of charge and plans to sell 22 additional Gripen E aircraft. The agreement was unveiled during a joint briefing by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and President Volodymyr Zelensky at Uppsala Air Base. Kyiv says the jets, equipped with long-range missiles, will help push Russian aircraft farther from Ukrainian territory and strengthen air defense capabilities.

    4 votes

  12. Comment on Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news in ~news

  15. Comment on Babylon 5 S01E10: "Believers" - Episode Discussion in ~tv

    KapteinB
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    When we started this, I thought watching a single episode per week would pose no challenge, but now I'm several weeks behind. Life's been busy. Work's been crazy. Oh well. I'll try to catch up....

    When we started this, I thought watching a single episode per week would pose no challenge, but now I'm several weeks behind. Life's been busy. Work's been crazy. Oh well. I'll try to catch up.

    There are new scenes in the intro; clips from earlier episodes. Do they add those regularly, and I just didn't notice before now? Or maybe they do an intro revamp every mid- and full season. Also; has the CGI improved from the early episodes? As others have said, this show actually had some really impressive CGI for its time, and I feel this particular episode has aged surprisingly little effects-wise.

    The raiders in this episode all have the same ship design, implying they're not some motley rag-tag crew from all over, but either a large organisation, or all originating from the same place. Maybe there's a rogue planet or something in the region, refusing to join any council or coalition.

    Felt like I was watching an episode of House through much of this episode. Not a bad thing.

    2 votes

  16. Comment on Babylon 5 S01E10: "Believers" - Episode Discussion in ~tv

    KapteinB
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    "Just how much justice can you afford?" was my favourite line in this episode. Ambassadors are of course there to serve their own nations, first and foremost, but I have a suspicion Londo would...

    But in addition to the core dilemma, the episode also shows the whole diplomatic mess on the station as they can't get any of the other races to help them, because they of course have their political agenda and loyalties that supersedes wherever their moral compass lies.

    "Just how much justice can you afford?" was my favourite line in this episode. Ambassadors are of course there to serve their own nations, first and foremost, but I have a suspicion Londo would have just pocketed that money himself.

    Jehovah Witnesses refusing blood transfusions.

    My mind went the same place. Seems a likely inspiration for the episode. Gotta wonder though; what if the egg-worshippers are right? Maybe everyone who has their skin pierced loses their soul and is replaced with a demon. About as likely as any of Earth's religions.

    1 vote

  17. Comment on DARA - Bangaranga (LIVE) | Bulgaria 🇧🇬 | Grand Final | Eurovision 2026 in ~music

    KapteinB
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    The first time I heard this song I didn't think much of it, but the live performance lifted it a lot! I definitely understand why it resonated with voters, but I was surprised it did so well with...

    The first time I heard this song I didn't think much of it, but the live performance lifted it a lot! I definitely understand why it resonated with voters, but I was surprised it did so well with the juries as well.

    It's worth watching the winner's performance as well. With no costumes, an unprepared camera crew, and just some hastily arranged dining room chairs as props, they still managed to nail the performance with raw charm.

    7 votes

  19. Comment on All the Eurovision songs are out. Let's talk about them! in ~music

    KapteinB
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    Let's pour one out for the ones we lost in the semi-finals. I was bummed out that Montenegro failed to qualify. Angriest lead singer, scariest backup dancers, heaviest techno beat. One of my...

    Let's pour one out for the ones we lost in the semi-finals.

    I was bummed out that Montenegro failed to qualify. Angriest lead singer, scariest backup dancers, heaviest techno beat. One of my favourite performances from the semis.

    I also really enjoyed Switzerland, and would have preferred them take Cyprus' spot in the final.

    2 votes

  20. Comment on All the Eurovision songs are out. Let's talk about them! in ~music