Open Thread - Friday, September, 22, 2016

That's what bitter people did. Pointed the finger and blamed others. Obfuscation was a way of hiding from their own shortcomings and wounds.
~Rachel Hauck~

I spend most of my time at home. The days are busy caring for my PALS and maintaining the household. The isolation can be oppressive. Thank goodness for music.

I have a large digital library with all the tracks rated 1-5 stars on a bell shaped curve and then sorted on a bell shaped curve based upon the last time played. I almost exclusively use random play, so the music mix can be eclectic, but is always fresh. a couple days ago, the following funky ditty played and I thought, "How prescient".

The state of the world is oppressive and the political environment makes the forecast bleak.

The New, New Climate Math: 17 Years to Get Off Fossil Fuels, Or Else

Though it may not have seemed possible, climate catastrophe is even closer than previously thought, with new figures released Thursday finding that—when the wells already drilled, pits dug, and pipelines built, are taken under consideration—we are well on our way to going beyond 2°C of warming.

"If you're in a hole, stop digging," begins the study, put forth by the fossil fuel watchdog Oil Change International (OCI), in partnership with 14 other environmental organizations.

The report, The Sky's Limit: Why the Paris Climate Goals Require a Managed Decline of Fossil Fuel Production (pdf), calculates the potential carbon emissions for already developed reserves and transportation projects, such as oil wells, tar pits, pipelines, processing facilities, railways, and exports terminals.

The sad part is we have the ingenuity to solve the problem, if only entrenched economic interests didn't use so much of their $peech to stifle ingenuity.

"Dark Money" Funds Climate Change Denial Effort

A Drexel University study finds that a large slice of donations to organizations that deny global warming are funneled through third-party pass-through organizations that conceal the original funder

The largest, most-consistent money fueling the climate denial movement are a number of well-funded conservative foundations built with so-called "dark money," or concealed donations, according to an analysis released Friday afternoon.

The study, by Drexel University environmental sociologist Robert Brulle, is the first academic effort to probe the organizational underpinnings and funding behind the climate denial movement.
It found that the amount of money flowing through third-party, pass-through foundations like DonorsTrust and Donors Capital, whose funding cannot be traced, has risen dramatically over the past five years.
In all, 140 foundations funneled $558 million to almost 100 climate denial organizations from 2003 to 2010.
Meanwhile the traceable cash flow from more traditional sources, such as Koch Industries and ExxonMobil, has disappeared.

The problem is solvable, as long as people are honest enough to acknowledge the problem.

Fossil fuels could be phased out worldwide in a decade, says new study

The worldwide reliance on burning fossil fuels to create energy could be phased out in a decade, according to an article published by a major energy think tank in the UK.

Professor Benjamin Sovacool, Director of the Sussex Energy Group at the University of Sussex, believes that the next great energy revolution could take place in a fraction of the time of major changes in the past.
But it would take a collaborative, interdisciplinary, multi-scalar effort to get there, he warns. And that effort must learn from the trials and tribulations from previous energy systems and technology transitions.
In a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Energy Research & Social Science, Professor Sovacool analyses energy transitions throughout history and argues that only looking towards the past can often paint an overly bleak and unnecessary picture.

Moving from wood to coal in Europe, for example, took between 96 and 160 years, whereas electricity took 47 to 69 years to enter into mainstream use.
But this time the future could be different, he says – the scarcity of resources, the threat of climate change and vastly improved technological learning and innovation could greatly accelerate a global shift to a cleaner energy future.

The study highlights numerous examples of speedier transitions that are often overlooked by analysts. For example, Ontario completed a shift away from coal between 2003 and 2014; a major household energy programme in Indonesia took just three years to move two-thirds of the population from kerosene stoves to LPG stoves; and France's nuclear power programme saw supply rocket from four per cent of the electricity supply market in 1970 to 40 per cent in 1982.

Each of these cases has in common strong government intervention coupled with shifts in consumer behaviour, often driven by incentives and pressure from stakeholders.

Professor Sovacool says: "The mainstream view of energy transitions as long, protracted affairs, often taking decades or centuries to occur, is not always supported by the evidence.

"Moving to a new, cleaner energy system would require significant shifts in technology, political regulations, tariffs and pricing regimes, and the behaviour of users and adopters.

What could the problem be?

A Harvard professor studied 10 major media outlets and found a harsh reality about election coverage

Years ago, when I first started teaching and was at Syracuse University, one of my students ran for student-body president on the tongue-in-cheek platform "Issues are Tissues, without a T."

He was dismissing out of hand anything that he, or his opponents, might propose to do in office, noting that student-body presidents had so little power as to make their platforms disposable.

Sadly, the news media appears to have taken a similar outlook in its coverage of the 2016 presidential campaign. The stakes in the election are high. Key decisions on foreign and domestic policy will be affected by the election's outcome, as will a host of other issues, including the appointment of the newest Supreme Court justice. Yet, journalists have paid scant attention to the candidates' platforms.

That conclusion is based on three reports on the news media's coverage of the 2016 campaign that I have written for the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, where I hold a faculty position.

The third report was released Wednesday, and it covers the monthlong period from the week before the Republican National Convention to the week after the Democratic National Convention.

The first report analyzed coverage during the whole of the year 2015 — the so-called invisible primary period that precedes the first actual contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

The second report spanned the period of the primaries and caucuses.

10 major outlets studied
Each report was based on a detailed content analysis of the presidential election coverage on five television networks (ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, and NBC) and in five leading newspapers (Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and USA Today).

The analysis indicates that substantive policy issues have received only a small amount of attention in the 2016 election coverage. To be sure, "the wall" has been in and out of the news since Donald Trump vowed to build it. Other issues like ISIS and free trade have popped up here or there as well. But in the overall context of election coverage, issues have played second fiddle. They were at the forefront in the halls of the national conventions but not in the forefront of convention-period news coverage. Not a single policy proposal accounted for even 1% of Hillary Clinton's convention-period coverage, and collectively her policy stances accounted for a mere 4% of it.

Well, that's it in a nutshell.

Let The Doors funk you while you read in another window. Have a great weekend!

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janis b's picture

The music's never over ...

[video:https://youtu.be/6FODXN6LnzA]

What I heard through the grapevine today ...

The comparison from Washington-based think tank Oil Change International followed release of a report about oil, gas and coal from fields already in production.

It said the output from these installations could not be used if the world wanted to meet climate change goals agreed to a conference in Paris last year.

Environmentalists have long argued the world should stop searching for any more oil gas and coal, because using up existing reserves could tip climate change beyond control.

But Oil Change International has extended that argument beyond reserves to fields already in production.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/314020/climate-change-world-'continues-to-party-like-it's-1899'

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NCTim's picture

We are already living in a toxic environment and there are immense challenges confronting us. Challenges of our own creation. Climate change, pesticides/bees/birds/fish, fertilizer/soil/water, potable water, super bugs, human proclivity for killing one another, ...

We are already primed and ready to implode.

BTW - Link between ALS and pesticide exposure has been established. Statistically significantly higher incident rate around industry also. Sweetie is a canary in the coal mine.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

janis b's picture

are a reminder of the fragility of life.

Thank you Tim, for making life a little more robust with your care and your love.

Wishing you and your love all that is possible.

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Thanks for the link
this is from one of the comments - didn't realize it was cause of death of Dudley Moore.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/psp/detail_psp.htm

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NCTim's picture

Very similar to ALS. The main difference is ALS effects the motor neurons and shows up in spinal forensics.

PSP would present many of the same caregiver challenges. The care giving duration, in tandem with the 24/7 duty cycle, is wearing me out. I have been thinking of using the hospice respite benefit to do the floors, clean the bathrooms, have a few beers and sleep.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

Louise Penny has written some beautiful, truly beautiful articles about her caring for her ( much older) husband who has dementia.
She and he both wanted to write about it, they of course are in Canada, where their experience has been little understanding of what the care giving requires.
Also, for fans of Adam Gamache, the character is based on the attributes of her beloved husband.

Wishing you well, Tim, no wisdom, just an understanding of how terribly difficult it is. Have lost two special friends to ALS, and one to Dementia - all very young too.

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shaharazade's picture

I love her 3 Pines/ Adam Gamache series. One of my favorite characters in the books is Ruth the Scotch drinking demented poet. This series is very humanistic and compassionate about all the people in this idyllic yet flawed community. I've read every one of them and am looking forward to the next book.

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riverlover's picture

as nobody revealed the end. I love Gamsche, the best next-door-neighbor one could have!

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

and her duck.
Remember when she gave her duck to keep hr friend safe...
adore each of the characters
Humane, kind, funny, wise...I want to live in 3 Pines...
Maybe we could all go there instead of ignoring the debate on Monday Smile

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I mean, the more I know, the less I know.

IMO, it's not that The Doors were prescient, but that every generation or two of humans seems to need to learn the same lessons all over again (which gives institutions a huge advantage over humans http://caucus99percent.com/content/humans-vs-institutions).

The more I know about a song, the more layered my enjoyment.

"Been down so long, it looks like up to me" is a line from I Will Turn Your Money Green, a 1928 song by jazz guitarist, Furry Lewis. Author Richard Farina plucked that line from I Will Turn Your Money Green to title his 1966 semi-autobiographical bildungsroman. In 1971, The Doors brought the line back,full circle, to music.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ-qmRS3-a4]

Lyrics of I Will Turn Your Money Green

When I was in Missouri : would not let me be
Wouldn't rest content : till I came to Tennessee

If you follow me baby : I'll turn your money green
I show you more money : Rockerfeller ever seen

If the river was whiskey : baby and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom : Lord and I'd never come up

Lord the woman I hate : I see her every day
But the woman I love : she's so far away

Talk about *sweetheart* : I declare I'm a honest man
Give my woman so many dollars : it broke her apron string

All she give me was trouble : I'm troubled all the time
I been troubled so long : trouble don't worry my mind

I been down so long : it seem like up to me
Woman I love : she done quit poor me

What's the need of me hollering : what's the need of me
crying
Woman I love : she don't pay me no mind

Lyrics of Been Down So Long

[Chorus]
Well, I've been down so Goddamn long
That it looks like up to me
Well, I've been down so very damn long
That it looks like up to me
Yeah, why don't one you people
Come along and set me free

[Verse]
I said, warden, warden, warden
Won't you break your lock and key
I said, warden, warden, warden
Won't ya break your lock and key
Yeah, come along here Mister
C'mon and let the poor boy be
[Bridge]
Baby, baby, baby
Won't you get down on your knees
Baby, baby, baby
Won't you get down on your knees
C'mon little darlin'
C'mon and give your love to me, oh yeah

[Chorus]
Well, I've been down so Goddamn long
That it looks like up to me
Well, I've been down so very damn long
That it looks like up to me
Yeah, why don't one you people
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon and set me free

Thanks for the thread.

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NCTim's picture

I almost went with, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Except, I wanted to use prescient because it has 'i' before 'e' after 'c'.

Joe features Furry every once in awhile. I remember the Falstaff pounder.

I tend to be more post war blues and jazz, with a healthy portion of New Orleans, Classic Rock, Stax, Motown, twangers, wankers and guitar slingers. JtC is helping me bring bluegrass twangers into the fold. I may be on the hook to lead his disco intervention.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

riverlover's picture

http://ithacavoice.com/2016/09/1200-ithaca-elementary-students-now-eatin...

Caroline Elementary was the school my children attended. Faculty/staff children and very poor kids from trailer "parks". Better-off parents gave pre-wrapped gifts at Christmas for some sort of distribution not for our eyes. But now food! Fresh, locally-grown food! For free! For all! There are more than four elementary schools. They started with the poorest.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

NCTim's picture

We were active in Backpack Buddies.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

Big Al's picture

Ann Coulter supports him. That's good enough for me.

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NCTim's picture

The tall woman thing?

Bell Maher has a thing for Annie too.

I don't get it. I would change bar stools if she sat next to me.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

skod's picture

Not a bad version of this good old Donnie Walsh chestnut. Don't have any humor to go along with it, though. Sometimes, it is enough just to bathe in the blues...

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NCTim's picture

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

skod's picture

the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a horn-driven blues band- they do the complete Blues Brothers schtick, and all the tunes from the movies and the additional material from Made in America and Briefcase Full of Blues. Doing some saturation listening to those right now to internalize all the music, since I'll only get to rehearse with them 2 or 3 times before the deal. Got my "Too-Big" green eyeshade ready to go! On the playlist right now, "Messin' With the Kid"... http://www.oschti.ch/images/Filme/Blues-Brothers/Willie-Hall-Willie-Too-...

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NCTim's picture

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

riverlover's picture

I got one, recommended for many by my humble self. Got mine through Amazon, unfortunately. Anyhoo... [I am getting better at whistling whlie walking away]

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

NCTim's picture

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

riverlover's picture

Mongo heaache today, still post-concussion.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

hecate's picture

Woke this morning with this song in my head.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDTXljIqxRE]

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NCTim's picture

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

riverlover's picture

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

TheOtherMaven's picture

Mia Farrow's track record as Mother Bountiful just took another hit. Her adopted son Thaddeus Wilk Farrow committed suicide in a car - it was first reported as "killed in a car crash" before further investigation revealed he had shot himself in the torso. https://www.tmz.com/2016/09/22/mia-farrow-son-thaddeus-suicide-gun/

The four sons who are her own flesh and blood have done pretty well for themselves, although Ronan Farrow's once-promising career appears to have stalled after being demoted at MSNBC (he had his own show, now appears only "on-call").

Of her ten adoptees, most of them from overseas, three are now dead (one from a congenital heart condition, one from complications of AIDS - which was hushed up - and one suicide), and two have repudiated her. None of the five who remain have come close to matching the achievements of her boys.

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

riverlover's picture

like a litter of puppies. I could never had afforded that, passed the tests or anything.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Raggedy Ann's picture

At 64, everything turned out just fine for me and I'm grateful to the people who raised me.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

TheOtherMaven's picture

which in the Farrow menage is going on its third generation. It's a Hollywood Horror Story just waiting for someone to honestly research the facts insofar as they can be obtained. (Don't bother interviewing Mia, she plays nearly as fast and loose with the truth as Hillary Clinton - though, ironically, she was said to have been supporting Bernie earlier.)

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

shaharazade's picture

Getting some hospice help with the housecleaning sounds like a great idea. Stretching yourself to do it all isn't so great for your body, mind and spirit. It would leave you more energy to deal with Sweetie and get some needed rest. Thanks for the funky friday OT. blessings to you both.

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NCTim's picture

I've been in and out of a funk lately. Not enough time to goof off. I think you are right about the respite. Hospice would take Sweetie off my hands for a few days. I might actually get to pick up a guitar and sleep with both eyes closed.

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The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -