Open Thread - Friday, January 11, 2019

open thread.jpg
"IN MY LIFE, I have watched John Kennedy talk on television about missiles in Cuba. I saw Lyndon Johnson look Richard Russell squarely in the eye and and say, "And we shall overcome." I saw Richard Nixon resign and Gerald Ford tell the Congress that our long national nightmare was over. I saw Jimmy Carter talk about malaise and Ronald Reagan talk about a shining city on a hill. I saw George H.W. Bush deliver the eulogy for the Soviet bloc, and Bill Clinton comfort the survivors of Timothy McVeigh's madness in Oklahoma City. I saw George W. Bush struggle to make sense of it all on September 11, 2001, and I saw Barack Obama sing "Amazing Grace" in the wounded sanctuary of Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
These were the presidents of my lifetime. These were not perfect men. They were not perfect presidents, god knows. Not one of them was that. But they approached the job, and they took to the podium, with all the gravitas they could muster as appropriate to the job. They tried, at least, to reach for something in the presidency that was beyond their grasp as ordinary human beings. They were not all ennobled by the attempt, but they tried nonetheless.
And comes now this hopeless, vicious buffoon, and the audience of equally hopeless and vicious buffoons who laughed and cheered when he made sport of a woman whose lasting memory of the trauma she suffered is the laughter of the perpetrators. Now he comes, a man swathed in scandal, with no interest beyond what he can put in his pocket and what he can put over on a universe of suckers, and he does something like this while occupying an office that we gave him, and while endowed with a public trust that he dishonors every day he wakes up in the White House.
The scion of a multigenerational criminal enterprise, the parameters of which we are only now beginning to comprehend. A vessel for all the worst elements of the American condition. And a cheap, soulless bully besides. Watch him again, behind the seal of the President of the United States. Isn't he a funny man? Isn't what happened to that lady hilarious? Watch the assembled morons cheer. This is the only story now."
- Charles Pierce -

I am not an advocate of fat shaming, unless the person is an angry know-it-all and pretend tough guy. Then their unfitness is fair game. Bring it on funkin' Sponge Blob Golf Pants!

It is better to be phunkin' phat.

The Art of the Deal.

I am a button pusher, and a stoic. I would love to participate in the wall negotiations. I am pretty sure, I could precipitate a cataclysmic event. There is nothing quite so rewarding as making a bully lose their shit and throw a fit.

I like to let them vent, while I get up and make a cup of coffee. Then, return to the negotiation and say, "I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Could you repeat that?".

My kids were smart enough to know that when I said, "Now that you have yelled at me, I agree with you.", meant they had lost the argument and their desired outcome was no longer possible. Having someone tell you to go funk yourself is a growth experience.

On second thought, I think I will just send my youngest to negotiate. She would do just fine. I taught her not to be afraid, nor take any funkin' crap.

Time to wake up, executive time is funkin' over.

Funkin' theme development, take 2.

Are we have funkin' fun yet?

What part of "no", is not understood?

I could snark all funkin' day, but I really need to accomplish something, for my own psychological state.

Have a great weekend! May the funk be with you. The thread is OPEN.

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gulfgal98's picture

Knock me over with a feather! I do not know what to think when I read about the newly minted Republican governor of Florida Ron Desantis' first actions after being sworn in on Tuesday.

And then this! Is it a hoax or is he serious? Or is it just another way to funnel more public money into the private sector? It might be all of the above, but on the surface it sounds better than Rick Scott's "Florida is Open for Business" motto. And yes welcoming signs at the state line actually said just that.

Two days after he took office, Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled sweeping measures to clean up Florida's troubled waters Thursday, including spending $2.5 billion and launching more aggressive policies to address algae choking Lake Okeechobee and polluting the state's coasts.

Much of the pollution of Lake Okeechobee is related to agriculture, particularly the sugar industry which is massive in the area.

snip

Included in an executive order: increase water monitoring around the state and establish a task force to address blue-green algae, a growing threat worsened by pollution and a warming planet that now regularly fouls rivers flowing from a massive lake half the size of Rhode Island; clean up septic tanks; ban fracking, and focus on more green infrastructure.

Also as part of the order...

The new governor also promised to appoint a chief science officer so "we're doing sound science making sure we're getting ahead of the curve on these issues."

While some environmental groups have said the order does not go far enough, I am cautiously optimistic that the state is moving back in the right direction. Water quality is a huge issue in Florida and it was totally sacrificed under the Scott regime. At least by his actions, Desantis is acknowledging the issue.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

NCTim's picture

@gulfgal98 Desantis is a fisherman and boater. I read an article about he and Scott poking each other between the election and taking office, so there could be some pay back, and shifting funds among cronies. I am not ready to attribute to altruism. Great to hear from you. Cold and blue skies here. They have brine on the streets.

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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 -

@gulfgal98 @gulfgal98

and all the stories he crafted of how Florida pols put on a public face while doing the run around. That's Carl Hiaasen, not his brother who was assassinated because he was an "enemy of the state".

Like the Syria "withdrawal", I'll believe what actually happens.

edit: love your West sig line, my favorite

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orlbucfan's picture

@gulfgal98 quick. Major climate disasters in this state have gone down in the last 2 years. Smart people do not swim in any lake, river, or water retention pond. Florida is the tourist state. It lives and dies with tourism. What is happening now is going to kill it economically if the corruption in Tallahassee doesn't get cleaned up. Rec'd!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Raggedy Ann's picture

To me, even though those other presidents brought "dignity" to the office, they were still controlled by the deep state. America has been in a hostage situation for a century, now. Obummer only hoped to accomplish change until they handcuffed him and he acquiesced. They all acquiesce in the end. Makes me wonder if Bernie would...

Herr Drumpf acquiesces grudgingly because he is a spoiled child who was not taught that disappointment is a character-builder. That's why he throws tantrums. That's why he governs via tweet. He's a spoiled brat who never learned self control (thank you for nothing, Herr Drumpf's parents). So, we all get to be on this roller coaster with him.

No plans for the weekend, just a bit of r&r, and preparations for a storm Sunday. We are having a wet winter, compared to last year!

Have a beautiful day and weekend, folks! Pleasantry

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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

Lookout's picture

@Raggedy Ann

The nut doesn't fall far from the tree...
I suppose Old Man Trump knows Just how much Racial Hate he stirred up In the bloodpot of human hearts When he drawed That color line Here at his Eighteen hundred family project ....
https://medium.com/@editors_91459/trumps-dad-was-so-racist-woody-guthrie-wrote-a-song-about-it-deea588fa11a
https://theconversation.com/woody-guthrie-old-man-trump-and-a-real-estat...

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

In December 1950, Woody Guthrie moved to an apartment building in Brooklyn – Beach Haven Apartments. His landlord: Fred Trump, father of Donald Trump. Woody Guthrie wrote these lyrics in 1951, and 65 years later, the Missin' Cousins, a County-Western music group from Oakland California, present a recording of these new lyrics to I Ain't Got No Home in this World Anymore.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

NCTim's picture

@Lookout The populace is more agitated than usual today. Maybe we should all meet for a beer.

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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 -

divineorder's picture

@Lookout very detailed article on impeachment possibilities:

https://www.politico.com/magazine/amp/story/2019/01/11/trump-impeachment...

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

NCTim's picture

@divineorder I think we should all send Mickey D gift certificates and chocolate cake. Really excellent bigly chocolate cake.

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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 -

@NCTim

if impeachment actually goes through. Just the threat already had him paranoid. It's important to keep up the pressure, even if it only amounts to competition between gangs. He's showing signs of cracking.

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NCTim's picture

@pindar's revenge The goal is self immolation.

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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 -

@NCTim @NCTim

a cable channel, let him play victim, maybe he'll go.
Then have a nervous breakdown before he does any more damage.

edit: or go to jail when the states get through with him.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Lookout
Lookout. I knew this but had forgotten. The article you linked was really interesting. You're right when you say the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Only thing is, the apple has a severe head injury from it and we're suffering the consequences of that imbalance!

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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

NCTim's picture

@Raggedy Ann comes from the plutocrats and deep pockets. That being said, the wealthy often place spawn into the deep state, see G HW Bush. I see the spoiled rich kid mentality, over and over. It is part of the reason that I developed button pushing skills.

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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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

@NCTim
You need to so some webinars on how to push buttons. I'll sign right up! Good

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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

NCTim's picture

@Raggedy Ann People do not like someone pointing out the funkin' obvious.

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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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

@NCTim
I guess I already have that skill myself - I just need to work on developing it more fully. Practice, practice, practice. Ok - I'm armed and dangerous, now!

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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

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Raggedy Ann

George W. Bush did not bring dignity to the office. How have we come this far in 11 years? Are we all truly ready for the rewriting of George W. Bush into an imperfect guy who meant well though he made some mistakes but in the end he really acted the part of President with gravitas? Are we really ready to embrace that bullshit?

Well, but Trump is worse, so hell, why not erase the crimes of 2000-2008. It's not like they have anything to do with where we are now.

In a pig's eye, Charles Pierce. You just parked your integrity in the driveway, doused it with gasoline and set it on fire.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

lotlizard's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal
Pleasantry

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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

is all good with warmongering war criminals as long as they act serious about it as opposed to"meh, we're just fuckin' around while we bomb and destroy people and countries". Fuck him.
I know ol'Charlie there criticized oBomba on domestic issues, but I don't recall him kickin' any shins on Obummers foreign aggression.
Him and the others are a little Late to be squealing about the Facade finally crumbling when the Framing was rotted decades ago.

peace

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

NCTim's picture

@Tall Bald and Ugly To Romney's op-ed. More about the ability to act, or possibly show empathy. Until the political system is dismantled, to use public funding only and participate in issues forums. We get lied to and bombarded with advertising, social media, … The biggest grifter wins!

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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 -

lotlizard's picture

@NCTim  
Empathy? Oh, please.

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NCTim's picture

@Tall Bald and Ugly

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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 -

@NCTim from me on his being a shithead in All respects-and I'm getting a Little tired of having to qualify my critiques of the System NOT being a defense of dRumph-it's just that charlie been around so long and observed so much that Never before in his life has he been SO Appalle-Shut the fuck Up chucky,, I ain't buying the histrionics of the whole bullshit deal going down.
Ewww he said. . .
Ohnos he tweeted. . .
See that toilet paper stuck. . .
Did you see his HAIR. . .
I'm at the point I feel All this shit is Scripted in Advance and I ain't buying NONE, ZILCH, ZERO NADA, of the Poutrage those Chunkers are spewing anymore.
They wanna be outraged by the war$, they wanna be outraged by the corruption$, they wanna be outraged by the Inju$tice$,they wanna be outraged at the climate chao$'taking place;
I'm in.
Until that day happens-Fuck them and their 'offended' $en$ibilitie$.
TRIGGER!
Rant off
peace

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Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .

Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .

If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march

NCTim's picture

@Tall Bald and Ugly If we were at the tavern, I could sing backup. It's the attitude that counts.

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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 -

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Tall Bald and Ugly

All this is by design. We who criticize the establishment are meant to always be on the defensive, and on the defensive from attacks that come from the left: you are a rightist, you are racist, you are sexist, you love Trump, etc.

What better way to make sure the left never coalesces into an effective movement? They've made it so we can barely talk.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

orlbucfan's picture

@NCTim up his arse.

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Heh, getting closer to the hundredth monkey up here. Thirty years later, why has no D passed any law taxing viticulture profits if "number of cars" was never enough to even keep the roads maintained? What industry has made millionaires of career politicians Pelosi and Newsom? huh There are no coincidences.
Sebastopol area neighborhood takes potholes into own hands as county road funds stretch thin

“When people call with, ‘Why isn’t my road paved, you haven’t done anything in 30 years,’ it’s good information for people to understand and the context around the process, but also the volume of requests, concerns and then the need,” Virkstis said. “Folks are rightly frustrated. We’re also in a position where we have to make tough decisions around priorities.”

In 2014, the county launched a “worst-first program,” providing a fund of $1 million toward roads that don’t meet the typical criteria for being addressed but also are in dire shape.

Transportation & Public Works Director Johannes Hoevertsz dubbed it “the social justice” aspect of the department, but said the need there also outpaces the available money. He was unsure if Cunningham Road is a candidate roadway.

Man, I am too old for this crap. Where are the yutes?

“I don’t get around like I used to anymore,” said Anderson. “But people come by when I’m out there and (say) thank you. It’s satisfaction. I don’t mind the $7, $8 or $9 for the sacks, but why do we pay gas tax? They can’t upkeep the county. That’s what burns me.”

feel the burn

One of the primary factors in the promulgation of the story is that many authors quote secondary, tertiary or post-tertiary sources which have themselves misrepresented the original observations.

ding! ding! ding-ding! hurry
Edit: typo, and to add in case it's not obvious: viticulture is directly tied to FIRE, Finance(debt), Insurance, Real Estate, especially Real Estate. BIG cannabis gave millions to Newsom. meh

peace

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NCTim's picture

@eyo … to the observations of the elders.

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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 -

Just what California needs, more "cultural change". lol I keep calling her Sybil, thanks Sally Fields.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom will be California’s ‘first partner.’ Her agenda is cultural change

“The work I do really parallels and complements Gavin’s work,” she said, “because it’s about awakening people’s consciousness, shifting hearts and minds, attitudes and behaviors.”

But that emphasis on sweeping cultural change can be at odds with the incremental, compromising nature of governing.

“In theory, here's the danger of having a first partner who is involved in politics, like Bill and Hillary: One spouse has to do what's possible and the other spouse gets out ahead of the other with what's ideal,” Ballard said. “In Jennifer's case, she has learned where there is any daylight between her and Gavin. She is adept at sidestepping that so he can get things done.”

A common sense progressive who "gets things done". Huh where have I heard that before? What would arendt say? Born and raised in Marin, private schools, Stanford, Hollywood, etc.. PU CIA?

cake!

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NCTim's picture

@eyo Snoop Dogg's rap partners Warren G and Nate Dogg weren't his only classmates at Long Beach Polytechnic High School who also achieved stardom. A-List actress Cameron Diaz attended the school.

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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 -

detroitmechworks's picture

@eyo Reading the whole article, it seems that everything she does in in the spirit of "Self-Flagellation". She used THAT WORD.

Because she's privileged, every other person must suffer for her sins.

It's like reverse Jesus.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKsNSm05wPc]

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

NCTim's picture

@detroitmechworks

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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 -

@NCTim @detroitmechworks
Moi bong has Bob Marley's face on it, I am "a friend of Bob". I hope Snoop Dogg feels revived by reggae. bong-gangers unite GONG! Rastafarians are patriarchal, mon. Is that why I can't find any Marley Gold on the shelves around here? There are no shelves around here, oh well. sugar cookies
Roy Buchanan - You're Not Alone

peace

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@eyo
However, I have to wait til I get home to have my afternoon roast! Drinks

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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

NCTim's picture

@Raggedy Ann

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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 -

@Raggedy Ann @Raggedy Ann was it you who put "bong-ganger" in my lint trap? heh It keeps falling out everywhere, thanks a lot. This youtube thingy is kinda cool when I finally unblock it. I forgot how much I used to love Roy Buchanan, long time ago. LOVE

Roy Buchanan - My Soul Went Down Last Friday

Too lazy to fix the vid copy pasta, I hope they're not too big. Fixed: by sour tangie. buzzy buzz
Soon, oh soon the light. Does this logo look like it should be called StarBakes? good combo

"Wake & Bake" Collie Buddz

Have a great weekend!

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detroitmechworks's picture

@eyo [video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2tX0Q3U0o]

Bruce Banner today. Not my personal favorite, but nobody seems to want to grow Basic Blueberry anymore for flower... sigh. Ah well, another skill to add to the list of ones I need to learn.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

NCTim's picture

@eyo Roy was out of the DC area, and regularly performed nearby. I saw him at the WVU student union, The Tomorrow Club, a cathedral in New Castle/PA, a local swimming pool, The Stanley Theater, …

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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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

@NCTim
with the yellow cow socks!

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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

NCTim's picture

@Raggedy Ann

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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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

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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

Raggedy Ann's picture

@eyo
I would have done it, though!

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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

detroitmechworks's picture

Unfortunately missed Judo last night because family priorities took precedence. Not angry, just planning on going tomorrow morning when everybody else sleeps in. (I'm nocturnal in the winter. I tend to do my best work when the sun is absent. Ok, when everybody else is asleep and I can get a minute in...)

Nothing really on my mind today. We'll see how the day progresses, but I'm actually feeling pretty decent.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=7nFgJJVcBYU]

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

NCTim's picture

@detroitmechworks Seasonal Affective Disorder is not as prevalent here, as it was in western PA. I think I will hit the gym, take a late afternoon nap and go honky tonkin' tonight. Pineapple Chunk for breakfast. Smile

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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 -

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 -

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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

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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

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 -

Raggedy Ann's picture

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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

Big Al's picture

Interesting article about him in Counterpunch. Part of it describes what he did in 2000 that brought him and the environmental cause to national attention.

"On the afternoon of July 7, 2000, Tre Arrow, perhaps unwittingly, became the idol of a reinvigorated environmental movement: one that was radically creative, action-oriented, non-violent and boldly uncompromising. Passion for the wild drove the agile Arrow, barefoot in shorts and a t-shirt, to scale the wall of a U.S. Forest Service Regional Headquarters in downtown Portland, where he would remain perched on a small window ledge for 11 consecutive days."

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/01/11/how-tre-arrow-became-americas-mo...

That's where I worked for almost 20 years in downtown Portland, for the Forest Service. I remember that well. My office was on the 6th floor right above where Tre was "hanging out". Could look right out the window and see everything going on. It was right over the front entrance to the building so they closed that entrance and we had to use the other side. There were constantly hundreds of people outside supporting Tre, watching, just hanging around, many times blocking the street out front. I'd go out on break and lunch and join the protesters, like I'd do with many types of protests in downtown Portland. Tre spent 11 days on the ledge smaller than a foot.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Big Al
What was the outcome of his protest?

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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

Big Al's picture

@Raggedy Ann He and many others moved on to other protest activities and Tre ended up fleeing to Canada.
I think he opened a lot of people's minds and exposed a lot of hypocrites however, so his actions weren't in vain.

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@Big Al "And they charged the people, A dollar and a half just to see 'em".
At least the "environmental terrorists" were able to save a few trees. He burned cement trucks in protest, right on brother! Save the watersheds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Cap_Wilderness

The wilderness does contain some small groves of old growth forest.

no huge groves left untouched
We had Julia Hill up in Luna down here, I supported her as much as possible. Right on sister!

... In 1997, awed by the "wisdom, energy and spirituality" of the towering redwood forests, she connected with a group of "tree sitters" in northern California who were protesting the clear-cut logging of redwoods by the Pacific Lumber Company by occupying the trees.

Hill agreed to join in the protest, and within a matter of days, she was 180 feet above the ground, living on a pair of six-by-six-foot platforms in a 1500-year-old redwood tree nicknamed Luna. Her first stint in Luna lasted only six days, but in December of 1997, she began a tree-sit that lasted more than two years.

During her time in Luna, Hill battled illness, harassment from helicopters, freezing temperatures, a siege by security guards hired by Pacific Lumber, torrential rains and fierce winds from an El Niño winter, and other privations. She heated meals on a tiny propane stove and kept warm by staying in a sleeping bag day and night.

Thanks for the reminder what assholes Clintons and Gore are, not really out of power, yet.
Okay, back to Tre:

... shaped by what he was witnessing first hand in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest — the ruin left in the wake of President Clinton’s brutish Northwest timber plan, Option 9, which restarted the logging of ancient forests throughout the West.

It was hypocrisies and compromises such Clinton’s that invigorated a new breed of radical, direct-action oriented environmentalism throughout the region. “If the federal forest agencies don’t follow the plan, they’ll end up in court. Or, if they ignore new scientific information demonstrating the need to revise the present plan, they’ll end up in court,” explained Andy Kerr of the Oregon Natural Resources Council at the time. But when legal tactics weren’t successful, activists flung their bodies in front of bulldozers and set up canopies high in the giant Douglas Firs as a warning to loggers of their potential self-sacrifice to save the forest. It was an all-out environmental war zone.

Tre Arrow is a hero in my book. Thanks Big Al.

peace

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@eyo
Thanks, eyo! Good

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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

Big Al's picture

@eyo A story, when I went to work for the Forest Service, I was down in El Paso (Ft. Bliss). Me and a friend drove up, families coming later, and when we got to Roseburg, Oregon (on I5) there were, I don't know, seemed like a thousand logger and other big wheel trucks protesting the spotted owl decision. They were lined up all up and down I5, all up and down the main roads of Roseburg. I've certainly never seen anything like it. It was pretty crazy. So there's a lot of passion all around.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Big Al
continued to be exercised. Good news!

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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

NCTim's picture

@Big Al A lot tougher than people realize. I have always been consternated that raping and pillaging the planet, in the name of capitalism, is tolerated. The polluters, mineral extractors and bio-diversity eliminators should not be allowed to simply profit. They should have to remedy their damages. Did you ever notice that the public health cost is never included?

Health Care Expenditures Associated With Pollution

Pollution has steep price in lives lost, economic damages

Pollution’s Annual Price Tag? $4.6 Trillion and 9 Million Dead

OBTW, where is Sponge Blob Golf Pants business case for opening natural areas to mineral extraction, offshore drilling, the wall, deregulation, … No actual business man makes a decision without a business case justifying the action. What are the costs? What are you planning to do? What are maintenance and operational costs? What else is affected? Profit motive and crony capitalism are not sufficient justification. Congress should be demanding a business plan for the wall. It would turn out to be on the level of a sixth grader, if that, and expose the lack of thought/introspection. Just funkin' sayin'.

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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

@NCTim illegal immigration. He has no plan other than his own self interest, he's just winging it day to day and unfortunately enough people are still buying it.

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NCTim's picture

@Big Al to the agriculture industry? Meat packing? Construction? The funkin' farmers around here (tobacco, soy, cotton, sweet potatoes, peppers) mostly vote right wing, and get fucked. It is a shame their crops are going to rot in the fields. Good ole boy contractors too. There could be a silver lining. Between the 1990 and 2000 census, the Hispanic population of NC grew 900%. The evangelicals are helping cleave them off the Jesus nonsense too.

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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 -

enhydra lutris's picture

large helping of rocking tunes certainly helps.

I suspect that Mr. Pierce mistakenly donned some seriously rosy hued lenses before penning that crap. Why is it that pundits and such cannot manage to decry, denounce and condemn Trump without also engaging in hagiography with respect to his predecessors. GWB was not some innocent trying to comprehend the unexpected, but a corrupt schemer trying to figure how to best exploit it. Corrupt Bill, a practiced orator and skilled professional politician simply shifted into "comfort the afflicted" mode for a few hours, a button he pushed just like at other times he would activate the "baby kissing charm offensive" circuitry.

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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 --

NCTim's picture

@enhydra lutris Chuckie riled up the gang! It's a good thing. More indignation please.

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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 -

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@enhydra lutris

in hagiography?

Because the point of the attacks on Trump ARE to rewrite history and wash the blood off all the other politicians' hands, leaving them clean and pink-cheeked and ready to be our leaders again.

This is why I will not join in the Trump-bashing. This.

Do people understand now?

I'm not trying to get Trump off the hook. I'm trying to keep all those other motherfuckers ON the hook, where they should be.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Anja Geitz's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

because the point of the attacks on Trump ARE to rewrite history and wash the blood off all the other politicians' hands, leaving them clean and pink-cheeked and ready to be our leaders again.

You hit the nail on the head. The whitewashing of everyone crimes through the crimes of the Hairball. It's so fucking perfect, I'd almost believe it if they said his entire presidency served this one purpose.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

@enhydra lutris

I attack Trump to attack Trump. I don't whitewash. (Or blackwash for that matter (forgive lame humor))

With all honest respect to other posters whom I admire, can you understand the frustration of how every time this sick excuse for a human does something even worse, there's a chorus of "But Hillary". I know she's evil, believe me. To paraphrase another post I made, it's 1930 Weimar, the rallies are rolling, and we're complaining about the Hapsburgs. (reductio ad absurdum)
Tactically, the Trump administration is the enemy. Strategically, it's the entire plutocracy, of whom billarybushBO are some among many.
I guess I find it easier to feel this way because I don't struggle with the kossites or donorcrat faithful. I'm sure there is whitewashing, I just rarely see it. But I honestly can't say I've seen it here. The people here are over billarybushBO, maybe with rare exceptions.

Believe me, I don't want to disrespect the many posters here for whom I have great respect, but with whom I may disagree on this point. It grieves me that people might think I'm doing that. Short plain text posts can be poor at subtleties of expression, so if I have phrased anything to be construed as aggressive or dismissive towards other people here, I apologize, in the spirit of unity. We should stop the Yenisei, not each other.

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Anja Geitz's picture

@pindar's revenge

can you understand the frustration of how every time this sick excuse for a human does something even worse

You mean in plain sight?

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

@Anja Geitz

I mean worse than the last thing he did. It's almost like he's in a contest with himself.

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Anja Geitz's picture

@pindar's revenge

it's 1930 Weimar, the rallies are rolling, and we're complaining about the Hapsburgs

I'm just trying to get a take on what you see as the "Hitler-ish" tipping point to our Republic?

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@pindar's revenge @pindar's revenge

shelter what is essentially a mass media strategy. In other words, why *you* join in the Trump-bashing doesn't alter what the Trump-bashing is doing on a national scale, any more than the fact that some poor schmo who lost his house and got pissed off at Obama for not prosecuting Wall St excuses the Tea Party which he joined, or the small family businessman excuses big corporate capitalism. Your personal integrity can't be a bandaid over so much that is wrong. Bringing your personal integrity into it, so that any attacks on the larger strategy look like attacks on you, simply makes it harder for me to criticize the larger strategy.

The assertion that "Trump is worst" or "Trump is worse," is similarly problematic. I'm not sure how one measures "worst" when the starting point is Abu Ghraib. Everyone keeps saying Trump is worse (or worst) than all that comes before him, qualitatively different and more evil. I'd like to see some evidence of this, or at least some terms defined that do not rely on erasing, forgetting, or diminishing the crimes of the past.

As far as being "over" billarybushco, it's nice that people are no longer upset about those who brought us to this point, were highly instrumental in putting Trump where he is, and who continue to be the most visible face of the people who actually run the world. For that matter, it's kind of amazing that we can be "over" the people who have that much blood on their hands, murder and torture that is less than twenty years old. Reducing all this to "But Hillary did it too" is amazing, at least in the sense that you seem to take that phrase. If I, and others, do say "But Hillary did it too," it's not in an elementary school sense of "Joey started it all!" (insert whiny tone), but in a sense of "These crimes against humanity did not come from the shitty personality and possibly unbalanced brain of Donald Trump. That is proved by the fact that those crimes were near-ubiquitous and persistent when others (such as Hillary, Bill, George and Dick) were in charge. Therefore, railing against Donald Trump the individual is unlikely to have any impact on the existence or continued practice of those crimes. Actually, even removing Donald Trump the individual is unlikely to have any impact on the existence or continued practice of those crimes."

EDIT: In September and October 2016, people were objecting to the media and political parties (and the donors) who were bringing us this loathsome menu of sociopaths, not choosing which sociopath was worst.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Anja Geitz's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal @Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

Yes. This. Exactly.

I'm not sure how one measures "worst" when the starting point is Abu Ghraib.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

@Anja Geitz

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Anja Geitz's picture

Who actually did want to blunt the Deep States global war mongering, and paid the ultimate price for it, Charlie Pierce's op-Ed reads like a hagiographic homage to the pretense that the Executive Office (prior to the Hairball defiling it) was NOT about self aggrandizing venal politicians collecting favors so they can build their own nest egg at the expense of the rest of us.

You know what a Trump presidency has afforded us? The unmasking of that pretense for anyone with the objectivity to see it past their personal distaste for what is arguably an odious human being. Clearly Charlie Pierce isn't one of them.

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

EDIT: Holographic/Hagiographic

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal's picture

Seriously? George W. Bush mustered all the gravitas he could? And he, and all the other Presidents before him, are "imperfect," whereas Trump is an unprecedented evil?

What a sad fall from the writer who so passionately rebutted Bill Krystol, when Krystol bemoaned America's lack of desire to murder people en masse in Syria: becoming an agent of historical revisionism and a tool for the reputation makeover of bloody-handed torturing monsters.

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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

NCTim's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal Trump promised and delivered transparency.

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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 -

Anja Geitz's picture

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

That jumps right out at you, doesn't it?

And he, and all the other Presidents before him, are "imperfect," whereas Trump is an unprecedented evil?

How "imperfect" was President Bush when he lied us into a war that killed thousands, destroyed countries, and cost the tax payers trillions of dollars while lining the pockets of crony profiteers?

How "imperfect" was President Obama when he signed away our right to Habeas Corpus, continued the torture programs abroad and at home, and droned thousands of innocent men, women, and children, while crowing about it on national television?

Yeah, "imperfect" all right.

I could go on, but I'm feeling a bit nauseous.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier