Welcome to Saturday ...

open thread.jpg

A Zen student asked how long it would take to gain enlightenment if he joined the temple.
‘Ten years,’ said the Zen master.
‘Well, how about if I work really hard and double my effort?’
‘Twenty years.’

Good morning early birds; building this morning's OT as i write ...

The tiny spinning globe on computer screen when a thousand windows open slow down, the feeling of late, bout a month, overloaded perhaps or empty ... the words don't come.

A marvelous community we share, lest we forget this in daily routine; it's special, built and maintained by 'good-hearted' people, rare find for any stumbling by.

~~~

I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

A simple choice, yet beyond means of those millions struggling for bare necessities:

"U.N. warns that runaway inequality is destabilizing the world’s democracies"

"The findings note that solutions — including robust social safety nets, an active redistribution of wealth and the protection of workers rights — “have been recommended for decades” and are well within the capacity of the world’s wealthy nations.

But in many countries, including the United States, such initiatives have been blocked by “economic elites” because they inevitably challenge the interests of certain individuals and groups, the report says, affecting the balance of power in nations that pursue greater economic redistribution."

Wouldn't you know the source, Wapo, is fire-walled; :). Ah,ha, the report:

The challenge of inequality in a rapidly changing world

The World Social Report 2020 examines the impact of four such megatrends on inequality: technological innovation, climate change, urbanization and international migration. Technological change can be an engine of economic growth, offering new possibilities in health care, education, communication and productivity. But it can also exacerbate wage inequality and displace workers. The accelerating winds of climate change are being unleashed around the world, but the poorest countries and groups are suffering most, especially those trying to eke out a living in rural areas. Urbanization offers unmatched opportunities, yet cities find abject poverty and opulent wealth in close proximity, making gaping and increasing levels of inequality all the more glaring. International migration allows millions of people to seek new opportunities and can help reduce global disparities, but only if it occurs under orderly and safe conditions.

Whether these mega-trends are harnessed to encourage a more equitable and sustainable world, or allowed to exacerbate disparities and divisions, will largely determine the shape of our common future. Summary of report, link here: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/202...

~~~

Sunshine

First images from the world’s most powerful solar telescope show churning plasma

Anyone recall Sunshine Laws? What happened to that movement?

Once there was a locomotive so good that it stopped to let pedestrians pass. One day an automobile bumped over its tracks. The engineer whispered into the ear of his steed: “Shouldn’t we take it to law?” “It is young,” said the locomotive, “it doesn’t know.” It contented itself with spitting a little disdainful steam on the out-of-breath “sportsman.”
Story Without a Moral, Max Jacob

~~~

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smiley7's picture

Drinking delicious and special Peaberry Kauai coffee, a treat. Wish y'all were here for a taste and conversation.

A beautiful blue sky winter-light day, so welcome after all the rain.

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8 users have voted.
Wally's picture

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smiley7's picture

@Wally @Wally

at the rodeo: He knows bullshit, he lives in DC Smile

Did you notice that c99 tops the lists of Sites We Support on Feel the Bern, Way of the Bern.

"We encourage cross-posts with and between the following:"

Websites

Caucus99

The Progressive Wing

Election Defense Alliance

Justice Democrats

Reddit Subs

r/BernieBlindness

r/FakeProgressives

r/StillSandersForPres

r/Kossacks_for_Sanders

r/bernieblindness

r/BetterKnowAState

r/EarthStrike

r/ExtinctionRebellion

r/occupywallstreet

r/bernie2020

r/justicedemocrats

r/OurPresident

r/Political_Revolution

r/ProgressiveActivists

r/shills

r/BerniesRevolution

r/democraticparty (recently taken over by Berniecrats)

r/RealBlueMidterm

r/TheRecordCorrected

Onward ...

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9 users have voted.
dystopian's picture

@smiley7 Great list, THANKS! How about Feel the Bern? reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/

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2 users have voted.

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

smiley7's picture

@dystopian
you are having a wonderful holiday weekend.

Go Bernie, onward ...

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2 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

from warm pleasant Gulfo Dulce. I've been avoiding the news cycle here while on holiday. Just a quick 'howdy' from the south. Had to get on-line and set up a last taxi ride tomorrow. Flying home early Monday.

Lots to do upon our return. Got 6" of rain in one night and the road sounds like it is pretty gullied up. Plus it is already time to get many garden crops planted. So it will be a hit the road running return, but feel like the batteries are recharged and hoping for a productive growing season (as opposed to political season). We vote on super Tuesday in the primary (which is really my only vote...Trump will win the general in Alabama by a landslide from what I see).

Y'all have a good one and I'll catch up with you soon.

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6 users have voted.

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

smiley7's picture

@Lookout
your return.

Been vicariously following your exploits, wonderful. Yep, damn the rain and more on the way beginning Monday, most rain in winter i've ever seen.

Thanks so much for dropping in from the Island; soak up the sunshine and beauty, my friend.

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4 users have voted.
Raggedy Ann's picture

Rodeos Are Fun
The rodeo is the place to be
to see the buckin' broncs,
to see them ropin' steers,
to ride around the barrels,
and step in the horseshit.

Bernie's findin' his way
thru the muck and gunk
of political life, still
steppin' in the bullshit.
all along the way.

Have a beautiful Saturday, everyone! Pleasantry

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6 users have voted.

"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

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann

and Bernie's here to stay

Saw you were having a big snow, Hope you enjoyed the time off. Recall those times in Steamboat when one could forget going anywhere without snowshoes or a horse, Doctor Zhivago moments.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend. Smile

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@smiley7
I got to be home Tuesday. Snow is still on the ground. The mountains are just as snow capped as they can be - beautiful. Makes me wish I still skied.
Have a good one!

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5 users have voted.

"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

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann
stamina, i fear. But okay, i've had these past years to adjust to this time coming, plus i got in about 10 weeks of a few hours a week and didn't think i could do that last July. And my technique received lots of praise from those on the mountain i respect. It never goes away, our minds being incredibly adapt at retaining what our proprioceptors have gathered and saved. All one needs is a little tune up. Smile

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@smiley7

Wow! Thats a hundred dollar word.
Makes the old brain work
to understand.

Thanks smiley

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smiley7's picture

@QMS

with the latest discovery being those transmissions go through the heart first. Nature in all its wonder, amazes.

In short, simply guide a human body to discovery with the right drills and the body does the rest subconsciously and the brain files the information away for later use.

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5 users have voted.

and all. So glad you are here.

A marvelous community we share, lest we forget this in daily routine; it's special, built and maintained by 'good-hearted' people, rare find for any stumbling by.

Overloaded and overwhelmed seems to be a common feeling among those that I know. So yes, the words don't come easily, especially when talking about art and music. Those topics fall by the wayside, though they shouldn't. Those things offer a glimmer of hope and sometimes reflect the best of humanity. Anyway, that's my two cents.

We can all surely identify with the notion that "I wish it need not have happened in my time." However, we will do the best we can, I know it. That knowledge is what this community gives me, because here, I see everyone striving towards a better set of possibilities.

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smiley7's picture

@randtntx

Good we've caught up with each other, Tolkien was so wise. Just read what trumps have done to bureau of land management, gutting it, forcing resignations in mass, and congress and the supremes sit idly by. Indeed, wish we didn't live in this time.

Been 'diarying' on Bernie's behalf on kos this week, a diary stayed on rec list for 23 hours and wow, not much has changed over there, maybe even worse as the 'gang' of haters are more entrenched than when i basically left the site 2 and one-half years ago. But there is a positive and good Bernie group there and i want to lend a hand to Bernie anywhere i can, but getting back to c99, what a blessing this place is in huge contrast.

Not a lot going on otherwise, have to travel to Chapel Hill for tests this week and looking forward to son's visit at end of month.

Hope all is well in Texas. A happy holiday weekend to you.

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6 users have voted.

@smiley7 to catch up with you.
I had to post this clip here when I saw it:

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smiley7's picture

@randtntx
to a Texas rally yesterday; i just heard a blub of AOC in Vegas, i think. So much going on, it really gets exciting at times.

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@smiley7 In Durham. I don't know if that is close to you.

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smiley7's picture

@randtntx

I'm three hours away up hill. Thanks for letting me know. BtW, Bernie rented a 23,000 seat arena in WA for upcoming rally. yeah.

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snoopydawg's picture

I love that picture and it's just what was needed this morning to soothe the soul. I hope soon that I can get out and start taking photos again. Nothing like capturing nature's wonderful images to settle ones self.

I am sorry you have had to hang up your skis. Hope that your many decades of skiing memories will help. Have you thought of x country skiing or snowshoeing? I always thought x country would be too much work and not as fun, but it's as much work as you want to give it and it is another type of fun. And it's so peaceful.

Has this been posted here yet?

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv9-qowZxfQ]

It is unfathomable that any company could get away with the neglect that has cost so many lives and houses and yet still be in business. 15,000 plus incidents that have caused harm and misery and PG&E is still in business. It should have long ago been dissolved and taken over and the proceeeds of the sale gone to the people who have lost everything. Oops I feel a rant coming on... I will stop here.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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5 users have voted.

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

smiley7's picture

@snoopydawg

Great to see you, ah the damn back needs surgery, and i don't want to do it, so ...

Glad you liked the photo, i go to that site for wilderness when cooped-up. You know, i need to get the camera out and charge the batteries as well. Been in the back of the mind to do so. Hell, let's do it. Smile

Did you see the Golden champion in the Westminster dog show, wow, what a beautiful and agile creature and all smiles.

Many thanks for the Bernie Vid, i heard he did this but haven't seen it. i'll pass it on.

Take good care, my friend and enjoy the holiday weekend.

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snoopydawg's picture

@smiley7

Great to see you, ah the damn back needs surgery, and i don't want to do it, so ..

Damn that's ruff. Is it full blown surgery or is it more a minimally invasive type?

My back troubles started when I took an unusual tumble skiing many moons ago. I had been falling forward most of the day and on the first run after lunch I did again. I did an inverted somersault and my skis went over my head. It was deep, slushy snow and I got my neck caught in it and I felt a lot of tension on my neck and thought I was going to break it..phew, but then it was my back that started screaming. I had residue nerve pain from it off and on for years until I flipped it totally out and it came back and settled in. I always thought I was lucky not to have sciatic pain with it until the day I started having it. Wowzer that is a horrid pain ain't it? It's off an on now and better since I have been able to walk farther now. But still.

Anyhoo take care and I hope your recovery goes really well. Have you confirmed a date yet and will you have help afterwards? Darn it I wish I lived closer. Not much I could do, but Charlie has decided that she is a comfort Dawg and she is getting very good at it. She 'feels' people's grief at the cemetery and will slowly walk up to them to see if she can help. One day my friend was having a hard time so Charlie jumped in her car and gave her a hug. Tears to smiles in no time flat. Awe the power of dawgs eh?

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7 users have voted.

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

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8 users have voted.
smiley7's picture

@humphrey

Rock on Yellow vests.

Thank you for sharing th vid and for being here.

Hope, you've a great holiday weekend.

and rock on Fridays for Future!

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dystopian's picture

That first pic is awesome. Any idea where it is? Or should it be a quiz? Wink My first guess would be shores of the Salton Sea in inland socal. I guess any manmade lake or reservoir that flooded and killed trees could look similar. It is a world class shot.

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3 users have voted.

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

smiley7's picture

@dystopian

The Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge is a 66,287 acre National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern South Carolina near Awendaw, South Carolina. The refuge lands and waters encompass water impoundments, creeks and bays, emergent salt marsh and barrier islands. 29,000 acres are designated as Class I Wilderness. Wikipedia

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dystopian's picture

@smiley7 Thanks smiley7! Great for my lizard-pea brain to have that geographic context. Smile I could have been further off but I don't know how... Wink I camped just north of there at Hunt. Bch. St. Pk., and just inland of Cape Romain, in Francis Marion N.F. I was hoping against hope looking for the extinct Bachman's Warbler. The last widely seen singing bird was in early 60's in I'on Swamp, just north of Charleston. I have been to the spot it where it sang. Heartbreaking actually. To see all the giant Cypress stumps, logged, and knowing the birds habitat was destroyed. For a buck.

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4 users have voted.

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

snoopydawg's picture

.

More info here:

The ruling could portend similar challenges to other items on the healthcare agenda of President Donald Trump and Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Last month, Verma urged state Medicaid officials to reduce spending for the program by converting its funding into block grants.

"The appeals court decision makes clear that the [administration] cannot make up new objectives for the program and that the text of the law is clear that the central purpose of Medicaid is to provide coverage," wrote Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University. "This suggests that other harmful waiver policies which have the effect of limiting coverage (such as lockouts, limiting retroactive eligibility, premiums, etc.) may suffer a similar fate."

Hopefully this will apply to SNAP and the other requirements people are having to jump through just to stay alive whilst rich b*stards are getting tax cuts out the whazoo.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

smiley7's picture

@snoopydawg
and expedite all the cases underway against this travesty.

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3 users have voted.
magiamma's picture

Strikers are taking three days off and so am I wish we had some of your rain. Already dry enough to start watering the trees so they are not stressed this summer. Spent the morning picking up detritus from last weeks insane wind storm. No one here could ever remember such high sustained winds. Certainly sustained 70s. And someone said up to 80mph gusts. The eucs got a trim. And much of it landed in my yard.

No real news on the strike front. The undergrads presented their demands to the regents. And it’s wait and see now.

Well, actually there is this - wait for it - drum roll...

The ucsc administration spent $300,000 a day To put up all the police power from around the greater bay. Wtf?? Right?

Can’t even.

So, y’all have a great day. Be well...

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma

300k a day, damn, the students could have self-patrolled everything for peanuts.

Oh well, it is what it is until we change it. Busy gathering as much Bernie info as i can manage, otherwise not a lot going down here. More rain coming all next week apparently and indeed would love to share it, too much, London was a paradise compared to this winter.

Son's coming to visit at end of month, he's up in DC teaching climbing, can't wait to see him, my only child. Smile

Most all Bernie news encourages me knowing in 2015 he could do this with a few breaks in the wind; this time, we must win and his momentum has the centrists and money-changers in a desperate tizzy. Great.

Enjoy, and treat yourself to something special this weekend.

Onward ...

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