Openly Eccentric - OT 3/20/2016
Well, this has been a crazy week hasn't it? Last week my OT was the first one after a major server upgrade, and now We've got at least 300 new people since then. Welcome, to all! Come and join the Throng, just help with the washing up afterwords.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIC_dFb5aBY]
Much of my news comes from non-American news sources, simply because while it still has its share of propaganda, you won't find the particular spin du jour on it, and as such you may find it a bit more enlightening than you would expect.
First off, Remember all that Oil Drilling in the arctic we're no longer doing? Yeah, well guess what? It was bullshit, and the only reason the new oil drilling leases are even popping up on the radar is because they are in violation of Canadian sovereignty. Looks like we won't even have to wait till the next presidency before we start engaging in acts of war against our neighbors. Course, it's Corporate violations, so of course, invading foreign soil in order to plunder it ISN'T an act of war, as long as nobody's held responsible for it. I'm sure the Mercenaries who would be called in to halt any protestors are further proof of this non-war activity.
And if you're worried about privacy online, keep in mind that your kids school district may soon start monitoring your kids Social Media. Apparently it's being done for the "Best of Reasons", trying to prevent things like suicide, depression, terrorist activity, and anti-authority stances. So, just like other places on the internet, be careful what you say, because Big Brother only wants what's BEST for you.
It looks like the 1% vs the 99% is going global. Britain's politicians are actually showing a bit of spine and are resigning rather than enforce "Indefensible" cuts in disability pensions. Apparently the ghost of Thatcher is rising again, and helping those poor defenseless rich folks against the aggressive, dangerous poor and their poverty level pensions. Well, good thing Britain still has the National Health Service, the jewel of what we are aiming for with our single payer... oh wait... OOOPS.
Oh and Remember the great way that President Obama ENDED the War in Iraq? Yeah, that was total bullshit too, as news from my old stomping grounds in Iraq attest to. Mosul always has been, and always will be a shithole, and it's sad to see that in almost Ten years, not a goddamn thing has changed.
Lastly, if you missed it, there was some actual GOOD news from the elections in Illinois. Yup, the prosecutors who decided that nobody was to blame for several Police murders are out on their asses. No word yet on whether they'll be prosecuted for misconduct, but it's never too late to HOPE, right?
And we finish with some tunes from they Gen X set, because while I know it's not to everyone's taste, hopefully it helps explain a little bit more about who I am. We'll start with a little Techno/Dance that I Enjoy...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3CxhBIrBho][video:https://www.youtube.c...
And we'll finish with some Goth/humor Stuff that I enjoy, because I'm all over the place. 
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh0l00Y1760][video:https://www.youtube.c...
Comments
Good Morning! Happy SPRING!!! :-)
Just want to share a little Maya Angelou to start off our day! I am off to Church in a few (If you had told me I would become a "Church Lady" 10 years ago I would have had your head examined!) So I will be around later this afternoon... Take care all!
Rainbows In My Clouds
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First Nations News
Do we fall forward and spring back? Or . . .
Sunday in the park . . . With George
A stunning, large painting in Chicago's Art Institute was completed by impressionist, pointalist George Seurat.
I recall the first time I saw it in my yute. He treated individual colors as little more tha combinations of other colors, each stroke a tiny dot. The result is a pixelated view of a park, stunning in its ability to create reality out of dots. The painting has this tendency to suck you in.
There are a few local museums that compare . . . The Field natural history, Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago's Modern Art museum, and a few more. Hen you visit any of them, don't expect a quick in and out. Plan an entire morning and afternoon, and think about coming the next day, too.
Just be aware - in each of those museums (Except Shedd), for every piece on the wall, floor or ceiling, there are 10 in storage that are as nice.
Museums are a great joy in general.
Never understood how many of my peers always found them boring. I admit the local one in my home town (Monterey Bay Aquarium) got boring as hell after a while, but that's because they never seemed to do any major changes in the exhibits...
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Even THIS museum!
True even of this Museum, which is devoted to surströmming, one of the foulest foods ever eaten by humans!
Seeing that you're into techno, here's a blast from our common past:
[video:https://youtu.be/gChOifUJZMc width:560 height:315]
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
I miss Chicago . . .
. . . and the museums and millions of other wonderful things to do, many of them free, are a big part of the reason. The lake, Orchestra Hall, a wild variety of fabulous food, the Old Town School of Folk Music (is it still there?), the zoos, the summer festivals, Grant Park.
I live an hour south of Dallas now. DFW has a few cool things but is a crappy metro area compared to Chicago. Dallas reeks of greed and opulence, and sucks at providing beautiful things meant for everyone to enjoy.
Texas State Parks and Federal Parks are really great. Galveston, Austin, and San Antonio have their own cool things . . . history, music, and the River Walk. Houston has a lot to offer as well.
Fort Worth is much more interesting than Dallas. Dallas is disappointing.
Marilyn
"Make dirt, not war." eyo
You also have weather, lots of it.
Here in Chi-town, we have four seasons: winter, summer, elections and road construction.
Spoke to my brother
in England a couple of days ago. There was a recent budget (a once yearly event where tax and spending plans for the year are announced) which was brutal for anyone not in the one percent and extremely profitable for anyone that was. Expect protests.
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Question:
1. Why did you abandon your brother across the pond?
2. If he is still talking to you after that, have you made amends?
3. Do you still make fun of his mangling of the American language? (Seriously. Boot? Lorry? Lift? Pint 'o bitter? Tube? How can they ever manage to communicate, after screwing with our language so badly?)
4. What is it with Brit breakfasts? They do that to themselves ON PURPOSE?
5. Thatcher. Why?
6. Blair? Why?
7. Wales? Why not?
heh
1. To get married (14 years ago tomorrow)
2. We speak on the phone for an hour or so once a week (does that count?)
3. He corrects my use of the language and I provide translations as needed - I even convert $ amounts into pound sterling)
4. Ha! and yes - though I have reached oatmeal age (or should that be porridge?)
5. No good answer - I was raised in her constituency though (Finchley, London)
6. See above - parallels between his and Obama's wins are scary though - deja vu was strong
7. Because rugby was bigger than soccer (football)
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Studied law in London one summer
Made a point of seeing one museum, theatre, park, or club each day or night. Ran out of time.
I fell into tix for the Proms. What an experience. Echo and his male wabbits played. Lady Di was in the audience for them. Security was tight.
There was a club, Camden Palace? That had secret video checking out hidden corners, different music on each level, and two huge silken stuffed pigs doing the 69 on trapeze instead of a chandelier. It was a former theatre turned to punk, rock, blues, ska, and other music center. Neat place.
Brings back memories
Camden Palace is right - I went more often when when it was called the Music Machine - late 70s.
Echo and the Bunnymen were a great band - I preferred them to that other band from Liverpool
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Studied law in London one summer
Made a point of seeing one museum, theatre, park, or club each day or night. Ran out of time.
I fell into tix for the Proms. What an experience. Echo and his male wabbits played. Lady Di was in the audience for them. Security was tight.
There was a club, Camden Palace? That had secret video checking out hidden corners, different music on each level, and two huge silken stuffed pigs doing the 69 on trapeze instead of a chandelier. It was a former theatre turned to punk, rock, blues, ska, and other music center. Neat place.
Austerity is King Now
I have some extended family and a few friends in the south of England--they are beside themselves with either anger or resignation over it. It's just awful.
Here's hoping the actual Royals...
do something about it. Much as they're a relic from the past, I do like the fact that once in a while "Requests" from the royalty are made, and seem to be listened to with great gravitas. Maybe it's just because I really respect the Prince for actually serving...
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Not holding my breath on that score unfortunately n/t
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Budgets are usually
a bit of a mixed bag but this one is a brazenly supports the fleecing of the 99%
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Good morning - haven't been
Good morning - haven't been here much, spending most of my time on the reddit sub, but started checking in more the last couple days. thought i'd enter this OT to chat, but where is everyone? lol
So much for spring - 30's and expecting a bit of snow tonight here in NJ - ugh. Hope the sun is shining where you are!
Sun's back in Wisconsin!
After a bunch of dreary days. But it's a bit chilly.
Still, it's sunshine! Oh, joy!
Nice. We had our first sun in a while in Portland as well.
Course I used the opportunity to take my kids to the bookstore. Nothing like spending a hundred dollars on books. Always makes me feel rich. (Course that was the "Luxury" money for the month, but still fun to enjoy once in a long while)
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Good Morning DMW and 99%'ers!
I always enjoy your musings, DMW.
It is a very pretty oak pollen filled day here. Got my tissues ready. LOL Will check back when I have something real to say.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Glad you enjoy them!
I admit I'm not the most verbose or poetic of our Open Threaders.
And I remember Oak pollen. Where I grew up we often had that combined with Oak Moth Caterpillars swarming the fences, hanging from the trees, etc. Only thing that kept the oaks in check really, because oak root rot killed so many other plants...
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Good morning D
Thanks for the OT and music. I will miss AJ too. I got a lot of my news from there.
First day of spring - oh happy day. Pardon my Jesus. Incredibly uplifting song from an incredibly talented young man in a fun and happy movie.
[video:http://youtu.be/r1nNdTyDZEs width:300 height:200]
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
That's a subject I agree with Carlin on...
The best thing to come out of religion was the music.
Don't always agree with the message, but if you're looking to create emotion...
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Morning all, Happy Sunday!
Gearing up for a new round of caucuses and primaries this week as, to me, it feels far more make-or-break than last week. I know he'll go all the way to convention, but I, personally, still want to see Bernie win.
Interesting mix for a Sunday, DMW (my fingers keep typing DMV and I have to go back and correct it!)..my musical horizons keep expanding thanks to you. It astounds me the variety of artists that never get any air time, even though I understand how corporate interests work to contain what they can't own and/or profit from...
The pups are slumbering away--an after breakfast nap being an important part of the day--and I'm trying to figure out breakfast. Hope everyone has a great day!
I admit my music is off the path a bit...
But nothing annoys me more than autotune... Cher could get away with it ONCE. And I admit that my handle's kinda weird, so one day I'll import over the diary where I explain it.
Had yogurt myself... Still rather dark here, seems the clouds have come back to Portland.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
There were a few youtube gag songs
that used autotune that I found quite funny and enjoyable, but when it became a thing in mainstream music---grinds my teeth now every time I hear it. If you can't sing it without autotune, YOU CAN'T SING. Well, that's what the voice in my head says.
Cloudy here, too--they're calling for snow later today after a week of sunny 60+ degree weather. Gotta love March.
It's a crutch...
And IMHO it just makes everybody sound the same. Say what you will about the quality of old rock singers, but at least the voices had individuality and character.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
I have tinnitus.
(30+ years of flying jets) Certain electronic noises set it off worse than others...that one must be near the top of the list.
As for music in general, a dozen years or so I swore off of anything associated with the RIAA. And found, to my delight, that there was more independent music out there than I had ever imagined. More genres, more variety, more quality, more TALENT. And soon, I was inspired to start making it myself. (without the talent). Eventually I relented, and let Neil Young and Bob Dylan back into my playlists, but most of the time I am listening to stuff the general public has no idea is there, and my life is much richer because of it. (And I haven't found one yet that uses autotune.)
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Last Autotune I enjoyed...
Was the Mr. Rogers Remix. Of course that wasn't an attempt to cover up a bad singer, so I'm more lenient.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFzXaFbxDcM]
In general, If it's on the MSM, there's usually something wrong with it to my way of thinking. For ONE semester almost 20 years ago I had a college radio show, and regret not continuing with that. Don't even have the tapes anymore... sigh
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
thank you
i just wanted to say thank u. i use to go to dk but have been looking for a site that u could read the truth and have real freedom of speech and they lost that with there ides of march bullshit. so i wanted to say thank u and all the writers here for giving power to truth and not being bought and paid for by the 1 percent like kos is now. again thank you
The 1% has yet to make me an offer.
Of course, I'm also of the school of thought that would announce LOUDLY when I have been bought instead of pretending I hadn't been.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
So, why has Bernie Sanders pivoted from Hillary to Trump?
I can understand why she pivoted, but not him. Isn't Hill the one he has to beat first? Makes me suspicious.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Maybe because Hillary pivoted?
Why bother to attack someone when they're ignoring you--it makes them look more powerful (optics and marketing-wise anyway). He's still in it to win it, so why not go after the general election (likely) competition?
Maybe...
Wouldn't be my strategy, but it is a strategy.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I noticed the pivot also, dk, and thought it a bad idea
But, I have always thought he needed to mention HRC by name more often and the differences between them. I hope like hell they know what they are doing because he has little time to get this thing moving in his direction.
It's definitely a strategy
and it makes sense. As long as he's unfettered by bullshit from Her Majesty that puts him on the defensive, he's gonna go ahead and start looking at the larger goal. Dude's running the long race and it seems a great idea. We'll see what Clinton has to say in today's news cycle. That photo op at that border fence was priceless optics, IMO--if HRC agrees--and I'll bet she does--I'd look for her to go into attack mode again, to knock him off that long game.
Back to work. This Tuesday is YUUUUUGE.....
Morning dk. The obvious answer would be to help
Clinton and the Democratic party. I said last night that after Obama came out and suggested he unite the party instead of attacking Clinton, we would see soon whether he was in fact going to endorse Clinton when the primary was over. His attacking Trump and not Clinton certainly could indicate he's playing ball.
What other reason would there be to attack Trump when he's supposedly in it to win it til the end? If he really wanted to win he'd step up his attacks on Clinton.
We'll never know for sure unless Bernie came right out and said it.
Or it could be the only time...
The media is paying attention at all is when it's tangentially related to GPTM.
In order to get any MSM attention at all, it seems Sanders has to pivot.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
I think that if he were actually
"Playing Ball", he would be dropping out and endorsing, now. I also think that it might be a recognition that things weren't going particularly well, and a shift in focus might help at this time.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Good morning DMW and good people...
Thanks for the good read.
I'm elated, newcomers are adding more poetry to daily conversations; never could get poetry to stick at the other place.
Happy Spring to All.
Roses are red,
violets are blue
I'm doing OK
Hope you are too.
Morning Al...
Thank you!
My spirits are high as most of the unknown is falling into place; I've a long list of things to do. Thinking of you, too. Guess it's planting time out your way as well. Winter is visiting us up high today, but looks like her last visit from the 10-day forecast.
So many good essays and posts going on, it's hard to pull myself away.
A very Happy Spring to you, my friend.
I'm not usually a poetry guy...
Mainly because I'm pretty old school in what I enjoy. I like Sonnets and blank verse.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Love the edit button for comments
For a small side point. Really helpful.
Happy Spring!!!
It is a joy.
It also shows a level of trust. The assumption here is that the average user isn't an asshole who will change their comments if called out on it. Which I think is all to the good.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
From my 30 year old daughters facebook feed
She loves to go listen at events where the walls are built with speakers. She just moved from NZ to London last week and she is attending this lot today.
Here is a tune I like that she posted a couple of years ago.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hROiXRm12aM]
"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back" - Regina Brett
Existential caucus questions
What am I here? lol just kidding. In the open thread spirit, I'm wondering how others might imagine c99 if...
There were no votes, no thumbs up?
therefore,
Every post was considered equally, no favorites?
What would that look like? More comments, less? I might say more if the only way to express it were the written words.
What good is the clicking without an accompanying comment? Thanks.
Peace
Then I will just reply
with no thumb.
In this we are already free.
"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back" - Regina Brett
Thanks for answering what-if
So clicking thumbs up means you read it? Or approval? Is it copying facebook somehow it means 'like' or something? Pretend I'm from another planet called the anti-social-network because I've never joined that group and hardly ever used twitter so deleted the accounts. Herd mentality gives me the creeps and the Internets are full of dysfunctional herds if you ask me. Present site company excluded of course.
Following that line of thought then the lack of a click would indicate the reverse or opposite I guess, disapproval
Oh that makes me feel quite contrary, thanks for that! But then I'm left wondering... why didn't that post resonate and make some clicks vs. some other?
Fwiw, I was pretty much giving everything I read a thumbs up and really like it when there are opposing views one after the other. Cheers for thought provocation!
Peace
I usually give a thumb...
as a thank you for posting or responding in my essays.
About the only time I DON'T thumb is when I completely disagree. Which fortunately isn't that often around here.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
It isn't about me
It is about you, and what it means to you. I would not say a lack of votes is a rejection - it may well be a lack of eyeballs. I think a large number of votes would be a pretty sure sign of approval. Approval and appreciation is a good thing.
I would reject that herd mentality as being expressed through the votes. That is just too flimsy a tool for the job. You will see the herd mentality in the content of the comments. OK - a particularly pissy herd worthy comment that got a lot of up votes? Sure - but that would reflect on the membership and I would feel I was talking to the wrong crowd.
Can I ask if you feel obliged to use this vote thing? I would suggest you just ignore it if that is the case.
I tend to up vote comments as simple encouragement. I like getting replies - and maybe I don't need to say anything back. And in a thread I enjoy I click em all as they all make the thread. And when the up votes are missing on a good comment I figure that really means the communities eyeballs have better things to look at - the place has simply moved on and there is no one here any more. So I am just reading for my own reasons. Which is a fine thing to do. I type slow and am rarely on the cutting edge of commenting.
But what you see is your version of the world, not ours. No one else can make sense of it but you. It is a big responsibility. heh
"If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back" - Regina Brett
" if you feel obliged to use this vote thing?" yep :)
Thanks. I just did myself a little thought experiment to confirm what you said, in fact reading here is quite pleasing to me and I do feel obliged to express gratitude somehow. It's a fun gesture so that's good too.
Peace
edit: Spell check thinks I's is okay? oops
ee cummings on spring
[in Just-]
BY E. E. CUMMINGS
in Just-
spring
when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman
whistles
far
and wee
and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring
when the world is puddle-wonderful
the queer
old balloonman whistles
far
and
wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing
from hop-scotch and jump-rope and
it's
spring
and
the
goat-footed
balloonMan
whistles
far
and
wee
(Original poem, with original eccentric spacing, here: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/176657 )
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Shit! Here I thought her ghost was HRC 2016.
A couple of teasers from tomorrows music heavy OT -
First, some Big Ovaries, Baby:
And a slow starting rendition of Minglewood Blues on Oud
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
HRC wishes she was Thatcher.
At least Thatcher was open about being evil.
Hillary wants to pretend she's the good guy.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.