Open Thread - Friday, March 1, 2019
Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.
- Isaac Newton -
I enjoyed going to school and was a good student, but I lived for recess or gym class. The lethargic pace of learning and being full of youthful energy were a volatile mix. This often resulted in my making smart ass comments, pulling practical jokes or just blowing off steam. Consequently, I had ample exposure to authority figures. There were two kinds of authority figures, the ones that understood you were a good student full of kid energy and the ones that viewed authority as punitive. I can tell you the raging name callers and vociferous authoritarians were funkin' assholes. All the kids knew.
I made a point of staying away from media this week. I would rather eat dirt than watch a congressional hearing. However, I must say Congress is a lot like the school yard. Among the populace are bullies, cretins and dullards. Election to congress comes with responsibility and empowerment. Some can exercise authority responsibly, many can not. Some kids always wanted to be cartoon villains. They are funkin' assholes. All the grown ups know.
Music is a weapon of the future. Music is the weapon of the progressives. Music is the weapon of the givers of life.
- Fela Kuti -
It is hard to fathom the willful ignorance required to either spew funkin' bullshit, or consume it. For Fela Anikulapo Kuti, turn up the sound and escape the circus.
The music of Africa is big sound: it’s the sound of a community.
- Fela Kuti -
All the titillation, by chaos is, preventing progress on issues that effect the majority of the populace. It is by design. The plutocrats, oligarchs and fascists are imposing chaos to run asunder.
To think how many Africans suffer in oblivion. That makes me sad… Despite my sadness, I create joyful rhythms… I am an artist… I want people to be happy and I can do it by playing happy music. And through happy music I tell them about the sadness of others… So really I am using my music as a weapon.
- Fela Kuti -
Have a great weekend! The thread is OPEN.
Comments
Good morning, Tim ~~~
Powerful stuff this morning. Have to agree about watching the shitshow - I didn't either.
I was the superintendent's daughter in a small town in the '60's. It was pure hell for me. I, too, was a good student, but I had to put up with things like dad coming home when I was in fourth grade and telling me that my teacher said I daydreamed in class too much. Honestly, I didn't even know what that meant. I had adult bullies in my life. If a teacher hated dad, I was made to suffer. Dad and I actually discussed all this when I was an adult. He regretted not intervening on a few instances where he was aware I was being bullied by teachers - only this time, he would tell me why they hated him resulting in it being taken out on me. Interesting times. Made me tough.
Ah, the memories - thanks for a walk down that lane.
Have a beautiful day and weekend, folks!
"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
I experienced the same phenomenon
Dad was the head of the English department, before finishing his D. Ed. and moving on to be principal of a nearby high school. He always knew what happened @ school and I had one literature teacher who persecuted me. Dad was active in the teachers union, son of a coal miner, and there were even kids who brought home prejudices. One, the son of the school board president went as far as picking a fight. I warned him that I was running and lifting to prepare for wrestling season and near the top of the class, so would not fight in school. He attacked me after school. Unfortunately, he threw an overhand right. I instinctively went under the punch and took him down. The dumb ass fell awkwardly and broke his wrist. That evening the vice principal, a friend of my father's, called the house to say there had been a fight after school, the school board president's son got hurt and the other kid looked like me, but he could not be sure.
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 -
Nice going!
It was a challenge to be the kid of a principal or super. In high school, the principal used to protect me - once I walked out of a class where the teacher was berating me in front of everyone. I knew he didn't like my dad. I stood up and walked out of class, slamming the door as hard as I could. I walked straight to the principal's office and told him what I did. He had me stay in his office the rest of the period. He knew the teacher didn't like my dad and said - don't worry, I know how much my kids suffered at the hands of teachers who didn't like me. There were a handful I could trust. Actually, I can count the five on one hand now!
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUugQoxS8_o]
"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
Good morning, NCTim and Caucusers. Happy, happy Friday.
Loved the Martha Ren song.
Somehow, I internalized the school schedule. Years and years later, I still foolishly expect to have the same summer and other vacations as I did then--in vain, of course. On the bright side, Fridays, during the school year are still, for me, the last day of the school week. So, unless I'm ill, Fridays during the school year are more energizing and joyful than they otherwise might be.
The above might be embarrassing, if I had more shame. I'm glad I don't have more shame. I have too much as it is. I'm guessing that many of us have too much. I don't know that I'd want to be shameless, though. Seems to me some bad people are shameless, like many of our politicians. Either that, or they don't get how transparent they've become. Ennnyyyyway....
In many states, summertime begins with the summer solstice. In some parts of Massachusetts, though, summahtime begins with the summer solstice. Often, when people with an accent sing, the accent disappears. You can still hear a trace from the Jamies, though:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS8JmUFcVTI&list=RDrS8JmUFcVTI&index=1]
From that song's youtube page:
Harpsichord and doo wop, in the same song? There's just no accounting for Boahstin, is there? IMO, staid Boahstin needed Molly Ivins' giftsc far more than did yeehah Texas, but she was not interested. In (marginally-) related news, I once very much wanted to live in San Antonio. Went there twice to check out housing, but it turned out that trains run through the older part of town, where I wanted to live. I didn't think that I could get used to that.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjrSpgnvLmY]
Real estate is inexpensive (relatively) in much of Texas, perhaps because Texas has so much land. However, real estate taxes are disproportionately stiff, probably so Texas can continue to brag about having no state income tax. Elders and the disabled, many of whom worry less about income tax than other demographics, must struggle to keep paying those real estate taxes so they can keep their homes.
NCTim, truth has been becoming more and more difficult to ferret out, despite the biblical promise:
John 8:32 King James Version
Moreover, when I learn the truth, it does not always make me free. Sometimes, it only terrifies me or breaks my heart. Nonetheless, I believe that facing the truth is healthier than not. so, I try. However, even when the truth does make me free, it often takes its own damn time about it. Sigh.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dlrXCYrNYI&list=RD5dlrXCYrNYI&start_rad...
Have a fun Friday and a very enjoyable weekend all. You deserve it as much as any school kid, including this one.
I was programmed too
While working, I lived for the weekend. As my workplace stature elevated, work Friday usually ended with lunch. Then it was off to goof off. During college, I belonged to an informal fraternal organization known as Friday Afternoon Recreation Time. Meetings were noon on the Cathedral of Learning lawn. Bring a six pack, a couple doobies, flying disc, …
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 -
Dancing in my chair HAW ~
I love Lyle Lovett and I love San Antonio Girl - it gets me going. Thanks for that lift!
"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
Heh
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 -
My intention?
If I had a boat...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpM8FjO4Vko]
"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
#2
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 -
#3
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 -
Who knows me?
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3KeXcRAhE]
"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
Another favorite!
Havin' fun this morning!
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QYqLcGtZuY]
"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
I'm not sure, but I think Lovett was married to
Julia Roberts when he fell in love with San Antonio and wrote that song. Glad you enjoyed it!
I didn't know that's when he wrote it.
I knew he was married to Julia, though. At one of his concerts, she came out and sang a song with him. It was great!
"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
Not sure either
But LL was already a Texas guy/song writer.
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 -
Heh
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 -
Enjoyed Lyle and Bonnie Raitt
outside bahstin on a hill in the grass, many moons past. Good chemistry.
~
House neighbor works for Guerneville School District
Disaster brings everything to local focus, I did not need the media to tell me much either. Studio neighbor in back got stuck driving through flooded road in Guerneville trying to reach her dad in Armstrong Woods.
time loop
I used to get sent rowing the boat from grandpa's vacation house near Monte Rio "across the way" to purchase a Sunday paper in Villa Grande. My parents went dancing at the Rio Nido Roadhouse in the 40s before they got married.
It was over 44 feet, and it still a foot over flood stage down there, still going down.
Love's Recovery~Indigo Girls
peace
--- captain's log
stardate yesterday
This is beer well 2, where mother nature gently placed something bigly in between the poles that protect it. whoa
Another large object gently placed against the Oat Valley Creek Info Panel. ta da
TGIF
rock on
Western PA
… is riddled with hills and streams. When urban sprawl started to set in, and neighborhoods were built on hill tops, the water made its way into the streams much faster, flooding places that had not previously flooded.
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 -
Hang in there, eyo, more rain's on the way according to the
usual sources,starting Saturday some time. No time to even start to dry out, damn.
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 --
Some protest opportunities....
are on the horizon. The first is being led by students. Students like you, that are bright and realize they are hurtling toward extinction...
March 15
https://www.ecowatch.com/youth-climate-strike-2627959531.html
https://earther.gizmodo.com/students-are-preparing-for-the-first-major-u...
March 16
Can we stop this coup? If not, then plan on another Vietnam... in our neighborhood.
https://www.answercoalition.org/national_march_on_washington_hands_off_v...
April 3-4, 2019, Washington, D.C.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is coming to Washington, D.C., on April 4. We’re organizing a peace festival to unwelcome them.
https://worldbeyondwar.org/notonato/
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E7rvJgdXIE]
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good Morning
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 -
Hola, Lookout! Thanks for putting those alerts out there. It
looks like ANSWER is no longer selling their fabulous red T-Shirt with the iconic Che picture, too bad, they could be a great variant on the yellow vest thing.
Have a good one.
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 --
Heh
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 -
Good morning, Tim. A sunny day in the offing, making 2
in a row, with rain slated to return mañana. Poor RRV won't even be half way to dry and gets hit again, hope eyo gets through this next one ok.
Sounds somewhat like my school years but with added side orders of zen, yoga, and political revolution layered on in high school. The admins by then mostly left me alone unless I got really out of hand. Prankster mode too, some part of me heard Coyote calling, heh. Him and Raven, old friends.
I too skipped all the hearings and news. Just thinking about what it was alleged that Cohen was going to delve into made me giggle. Lessee, attorney, subject to privilege, gonna testify as to what others said - I believe that would be all hearsay, inadmissible for excellent reasons that should lead to Congress and the people ignoring it too. Just a hunch, heh.
Thanks for the great music. I started out in a Good Morning Aztlan sort of mood, but that's now long gone. Mebbe more da kine Fela fella.
Have a great one.
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 --
Accelerated track
Fast math, science, honors classes, AP classes, … I always had class with Mange and Wafers. Teachers would not let us sit near one another. First day of senior year, the Chem II Honors teacher comes in and says, "I heard about you guys and I will not put up with your crap". Poor guy. Somebody put a c-clamp between the resin filter and distilled water reservoir. The filter filled with water, pressurized and went off like a geyser.
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 -
That is the 'Summertime' I remember - still have the record
saved and carried with me for over 50 years.
[video:https://youtu.be/jZWQNPMnLKA]
Thanks for the memories that are coming back to me.
Blessed are the kids who have daddy and mamma standing by.