Benjamin Uke

“in the long Chinese civil war from 1912 to 1949, Russia funded not just the Communists but also numerous warlords. It placed bets on all horses to protract the conflict and render China prostrate.”
― S.C.M. Paine, The Wars for Asia, 1911–1949

“I am tired of people calling those of us who get stuck in these cycles "codependent" or "addicted" to the narcissistic relationship. It's not that. If you have any empathy, have normal cognitive functioning, and were shaped by societal and cultural norms and realities, it is not surprising that you would get stuck. The narcissistic relationship is like a riptide that pulls you back in even as you try to swim away. The intensity, attentiveness, and highs and lows are why you swim out to where the riptide is. The abusive behavior makes you want to swim away from the riptide, but the guilt and fear of leaving, the practical issues raised by leaving (financial, safety, cultural, family), as well as the natural drive toward attachment, connection, and love are what keep you stuck in the riptide's pull.”
― Ramani Durvasula, It's Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People

“Often their choices do not seem “normal” and “rational” to many Americans because (surprise, surprise) their actions did not reflect American norms.”
― S.C.M. Paine, The Wars for Asia, 1911–1949

“Desperation can make people mercenary like that--you spot an exit and you start running toward it and you don't look back. You just do your best to convince yourself that the other person is right behind you.”
― Laura van den Berg, State of Paradise