The Weekly Watch

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Skipping Through the Holidays

For decades we've gone down to Birmingham to spend holidays with both of our families, but not this year...just phone calls. COVID is spreading rampantly and holiday gatherings WILL drive the spread. Vaccines appear to be on the horizon, and perhaps that will be the light at the end of the tunnel. The accompanying economic collapse will be more difficult to overcome quickly. I feel for all those who lost their job or business and as a result their health care...or worse yet, lost their home in the middle of a pandemic. Comparatively we're doing great... we're still eating well from our Thanksgiving leftovers, and the garden is still productive though the weather has shifted to wet and cold. It is hard to believe that it is time to start planning the spring and summer garden, inventorying the seeds we have, and ordering seed we need. Looks like limited supplies this year. Despite the situation we've got a full plate...

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That's this fall's recently cured sweet potato. After harvest we put them in a little room with the hot water heater. Sweet potatoes are odd. After harvest they need to be stored in a warm place where their starches breakdown into sugar, and then stored in the cool after a couple of weeks. Most crops do the opposite, like corn whose sugars build to starch over time. The broccoli was fresh cut from the garden Thursday morning. I experimented improvising an almond flour dressing that is based on the cornbread dressing I've made for several years. If anything the almond version was better. I used fresh sage both in the dressing and on the charcoal fire which helped the turkey smoke up a lovely brown. So the bottom line is it wasn't so bad that we missed seeing our families. At age 90, I had no intention of playing COVID roulette with my Mom's life. We made the best of our situation and had a wonderful "Day of Mourning". I hope you did the same.

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Got to Get Back to the Garden...

I saw several good clips this week and wanted to start with the ones about gardening.
The first is a group of Scots talking about their love of allotment gardening...(7 min)

John Campbell said recently that he will be glad when the vaccine is wide spread and COVID has disappeared so he can get back to his allotment.

The next clip is the story of a couple in NC who loves gardening together. A little sappy, but they sure have a well landscaped yard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6CVLry8ZpI (27 min)

Most people can garden...at least in containers if not an allotment. Fewer folks have the acreage to farm. I've been following Justin Rhodes and his family for a few years. He is located outside Asheville, NC on 75 acres or so, trying to create regenerative systems. Here's a fun tour of his operation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vmAjSMTSBg (32 min)

Mark Hyman asks the question this week, Can Regenerative Agriculture Really Heal Humans And The Planet? He discusses this question with Jeff Tkach who talks about the work the Rodale Institute has done and is continuing to do to further the cause of regenerative agriculture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMLH9cUuxkI (57 min)

If we can cure most chronic disease, capture carbon, and improve soil productivity all with the same practices, why aren't we rapidly shifting to a saner form of food production?
How Big Pharma Deceives you and Keeps you Unhealthy for Profit! - Joe Rogan (1037) & Chris Kresser. Excellent 50 min discussion and explanation of the health component

It isn't just big pharma, it is big Ag too. Krystal and Saagar rebroadcast an earlier interview this week with author, Zephyr Teachout, who discusses her new book, 'BREAK ‘EM UP: Recovering Our Freedom from Big Ag, Big Tech, and Big Money.'
I've cued up the part of the conversation about big Ag (about 5 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j29bDbiB96U&t=3m30s

Corporate capitalist culture cares only for profit and nothing about the people nor planet. The beauty of your own garden is the corporate system doesn't dictate your method, crops, nor work hours. I hope you all can enjoy growing something...even a house plant will have benefits.

I titled this weeks piece Skipping through the Holidays because we need to skip gatherings.
John Campbell explains why we will have a surge in cases and then deaths in the US because of the way people are celebrating. (29 min)

Yesterday was a big deal to most folks in Alabama. It is the Iron Bowl with Auburn and Alabama facing off for the years bragging rights. Sure makes sense during a pandemic to gather in a stadium and holler spraying droplets doesn't it? Just goes to show what is important to people. I looked for a picture of the stands and you can kinda see a somewhat spread out crowd in the background of this shot which makes obvious the winners...

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Speaking of what's important, U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against New York’s Restrictions On Religious Gatherings

The Diocese of Brooklyn, however, praised the court’s decision.

“I am gratified by the decision of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court, who have recognized the clear First Amendment violation and urgent need for relief in this case. I am proud to be leading the Diocese of Brooklyn and fighting for our sacred and constitutional right to worship,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in a statement.

Church-goers who agree say they prefer in-person worship instead of online.

“I think it’s essential because people need to get closer to God right about now,” Midtown resident Katherine Gerald told CBS2’s Dave Carlin.

“Even in the pandemic, the Constitution cannot be put away and forgotten,” DiMarzio said.

More details here.

I guess that shows some of the effect of ACB vs. RBG on the court because last spring...

In a 5-4 ruling issued close to midnight on Friday, May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to disturb the California governor’s order restricting religious service gatherings as part of its emergency pandemic response effort.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/supreme-court-rules-favor-restr...

Our approach speaks for itself (from worldometer)

US deaths_0.png

In the meantime, the pandemic sure provides good cover for targeted assassinations.

Today the top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fahrizade was assassinated in a complex terror attack while driving on a highway in Absard, a small city just east of Tehran. An explosion stopped his car. Then shots were fired at him from two directions....
While a terror attack against its top nuclear scientist can be seen as an act of war Iran is unlikely to openly take revenge for it. Doing such would only play into Netanyahoo's hands as he attempts to goad the U.S. into an attack on Iran.
The assassination of Mohsen Fahrizade does not aim at Iran's nuclear program. Its purpose is to assassinate the nuclear deal with Iran before president elect Joe Biden comes into office....
There are still 55 days until Trump leaves the office. Netanyahoo will use that time to launch more provocation.

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2020/11/israel-tries-to-provoke-a-war-iran...
More info here.

Now exactly who are the terrorists?

And don't think it will be better with Biden... perhaps different, but not better.

tis the season.png

Chris Hedges: The Ruling Elite’s War on Truth...
American political leaders display a widening disconnect from reality intended to mask their complicity in the seizure of power by global corporations and billionaires.

https://scheerpost.com/2020/11/23/chris-hedges-the-ruling-elites-war-on-...

Aaron Mate' was on Rising this weekend explaining why we are stuck with Russiagate...it ain't going away! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBHX-Htccds (10 min)

Maj. Danny Sjursen was on the Nicky Rew Podcast to talk about President-elect Joe Biden squad of urbane imperialists and “diverse” death-dealers. (1 hour)

So there we have it. As Jimmy often says, "America is a failed state". Jimmy had a pretty funny clip of comedy messages left on his answering machine...made me laugh. Hope you enjoy it too (6 min)

It is better the laugh than cry. Have a great day and lovely week.
I'll leave you with a seasonal song which I've almost forgotten...

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Lookout's picture

The devil whispered to me, “I’m coming for you . ”
I whispered back, “Bring pizza.”
 
Me:  (sobbing my heart out, eyes were swollen, nose red)… “I can’t see you anymore.  I am not going to let you hurt me like this again!”
Trainer:  “It was a sit up.  You did one sit up!”
 
Having plans sounds like a good idea until you have to put on clothes and leave the house.
 
It’s weird being the same age as old people.
 
When I was a kid I wanted to be older… this is not what I expected.
 
Life is  like a helicopter.  I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.
 
Chocolate is God’s way of telling us he likes us a little bit chubby.
 
It’s  probably my age that tricks people into thinking I’m an adult.
 
Marriage  Counselor:  Your wife says you never buy her flowers.  Is that true?
Him:  To be honest, I never knew she sold flowers.
 
My wife asked me to take her to one of those restaurants where they make the food right in front of you.  So I took her to Subway and that’s how the fight started.
 
During the middle ages they celebrated the end of the plague with wine and orgies.  Does anyone know if there is anything planned when this one ends?
 
I don’t think the therapist is supposed to say “wow,” that many times in your first session but here we are…
 
If 2020 was a math word-problem:  
If you’re going down a river at 2 MPH and your canoe loses a wheel, how much pancake mix would you need to re-shingle your roof?
 
I see people about my age mountain climbing;  
I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.
 
We can all agree that in 2015 not a single person got the answer correct to,
‘Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?’
 
So if a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?
 
If you can’t think of a word say “I forgot the English word for it.”  That way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.
 
I’m at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
 
Corona coaster  noun:  the ups and downs of a pandemic.  One day you’re
loving your bubble, doing work outs, baking banana bread and going for long walks and the next you’re crying, drinking gin for breakfast and missing people you don’t even like.
 
I’m at that age where my mind still thinks I’m 29, my humor suggests I’m 12, while my body mostly keeps asking if I’m sure I’m not dead yet.
 
I’m getting tired of being part of a major historical event.
 
I don’t always go the extra mile, but when I do it’s because I missed my exit.
 
How many of us have looked around our family reunion and thought...
“Well, aren’t we just two clowns short of a circus?”
 
You don’t realize how old you are until you sit on the floor and then try to get back up.

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

mimi's picture

we have only folks who are over 75 and a lot over 80 years old. They all have some kind of safe retirement payments and pensions. They are well off and if they are still ticking the mentally healthy way, they are the only group of people, who do not suffer under the lockdown. Nobody lost their income or business.

All the rest of people I encounter suffer a lot at least financially. They are the ones who keep most public or private business functions going.

Therefore I feel guilty. I live on pieces of land though it is not mine as do all our neighbors. Being so safe and well off it is amazing how mean they are to each other.

And you would think they might understand what it means to be jobless and homeless. No way.

Well, I may roast a duck for the next holidays. Just don't have people who would eat that much.

Sigh. Thanks for the Weekly Watch. Thank God JtC has some friends who write the stuff he and this site deserves.

Have a wonderful Sunday. Stay as healthy as you all can. Are you all suffer too under the restless corona brain damage syndrome? Just drink some more corona beer. Best cure against the holiday blues.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi

to have a pension. A teacher's pension isn't excessive but it is adequate.

Heard the joke long ago...
A farmer won the big lottery and the press asked him what he was going to do with all his money. He replies, "I'm going to farm until I've used it all."

Take care. At least you don't see people going bankrupt due to medical bills as is so common here in the states. Thanks for the visit and be well!

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout
you started such a nice fun thread to lift us up and I dummy made a serious post. Sorry for that.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi

Say what you want...it is better that way! Speak your mind not what you think others want to hear. Like the saying goes, "be yourself, everyone else is taken."

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

@Lookout
They told my wife that it was "because your husband doesn't have a job".
My wife said, "He has a pension. That's better than a job. You can't get fired from a pension."

Sadly, now with Biden that's not true any more. My CSRS pension and our social security are on the pay-go block.

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14 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Lookout's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

No telling what the future holds. In the same way FDR confiscated everyone's gold in the 30's, there's talk of collecting all the cash and going digital in the "Great Reset". I have no idea, but I'm not going to be surprised by much of anything they pull. I worry what happens to my pension when our retirement system CEO retires. The legislature has been lusting for our money for years and he has stood in the way...and he is pushing 90.

I hope pay go is political suicide, but we'll see what we see. Hope you are doing well noticed y'all have already had some cold weather. We'll get our first dose this week.

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

@Lookout
Concrete contractor had to did up a flower bed. I hope he put those daffodil bulbs back correctly. Some are from my dead mother and some are from my wife's dead father. Been carting those bulbs from house to house since the 1970's. We have to die but the bulbs don't have to. they can just keep cloning away.
Tulips have mostly succumbed to rabbits but rabbits hate daffodils. They must smell or something. My surviving tulips are ringed with daffodils. Bunnies won't cross the line. IMHO they should do their job, which is eating dandelions and burdock in the lawn and leave the flowers alone. I don't mind when they eat a windfall peach. But the wasps do!

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7 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness @The Voice In the Wilderness
I had always worked my whole life and I had a mortgage for my little townhouse. Paid the whole mortgage off and owned the place out right. Then I retired and had retirement payments from German employers while living in the US So I sold my townhouse thinking I would be able to buy a little place for me and my son in HI. Arriving in HI with what I would call substantial down payment capabilities and German statutory pension insurance income, I wanted to get a mortgage to buy a little place.

Those folks in HI just told me, I am retired, I am not a US citizen, and for them my German retirement income does not count. My US SS is way too small to qualify for a mortgage.
That was the end of it. Aus der Traum. I think I worked since 1990 only for German employers located in Washington DC. Luckily, because I would have never been able to get a job with my original educational background as a physical chemist from the Technical Univesity in Berlin, Germany.

This were before I got my green card and a permanent resident status. I got the green card through winning the green card lottery. I don't know if this procedure is still available today. Probably not. But with that resident status I could work in any lowly paid hourly little job with which I would have never been able to pay the rent. (Like my son today).

So, yes, retirement income isn't much worth. And foreign retirement income is just some dirt.

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@mimi
and not the best place to be with ocean temperatures rising.

Consider mid-state Alabama where Lookout worked prior to retirement. High enough to not flood in Hurricanes. Snow is negligible. The locals refer to a past half inch snow as Snowmaggedon. IIRC, in the great Blizzard of 196X (1965?), Chicago's Mayor Richard J. Daley sent four snowplows to Birmingham because they didn't have even one plow! Bet he got some juicy goodies from Congress for that! Race relations aren't perfect by any means, but the bad old days of the '60s seem gone. Other places that are good are Southern Colorado (unless you are a city girl), Texas and Florida. Sorry, Floridians, but I hate Florida, swamps, bugs, and alligators, besides being in the path of multiple hurricanes every year. Long term, the land is sinking. Once it was a land bridge to Cuba. Now it's sinking. Several people here can tell you about Texas. Texans are generally good people but it's way too dry for me. Just don't come to Illinois! Regressive taxes, perpetual budget crisis and snow snow snow. Scorching heat in Summer turning to Arctic Cold in Winter. two years ago we had -20F with -40 wind chill. That's the second time in my life. The winds which used to east/west now switch unpredictably to north or south. One day hot air is coming up from Texas and Mexico, the next day cold air from the Arctic.

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7 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness
escape and live there. I guess only to those who have seen homeless people freezing to death that makes sense.

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@mimi
If you don't mind living in a swamp. For swamp living I prefer New Orleans.

Don't think you can freeze in South Texas but I'm not so sure. I was once in Galveston in Winter. No jacket.

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2 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

QMS's picture

Feel we need more laughter.
Not exactly tears of joy.
So much as relief from sorrow.

Cheers!

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question everything

Lookout's picture

@QMS

More laughter. I'm usually my own best source of laughter...living in the here after. You know you walk into a room and ask yourself, "What am I here after?"

All the best. Liked your sailboat art!

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

QMS's picture

@Lookout @Lookout

is a good sign.
Hat is on it's way!

Happy Sunday Wink

Bye bye Popeye

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11 users have voted.

question everything

Lookout's picture

@QMS

Sadly doesn't look like peace any time soon.
Lee Camp on Biden's Cabinet: War Hawks, Corporate Lapdogs & Swamp Creatures (12 min)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIDMwaHDHX0]

We'll have more of the same with a little more (fake) civility on the side.

Be well and stay warm!

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12 users have voted.

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

I laughed at the jokes and enjoy the gardening info. Thank you.

All I've got today is a pleasant weekend update.

NYC has had a lovely 3 days after, with the weather mild enough for the seats at the outdoor eateries filled up.

The Mayor and the Governor are threatening a total shutdown sometime not clear when, so restaurants getting in some revenue now might help them survive.

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NYCVG

Lookout's picture

@NYCVG

Blue blue skies, highs in the mid 60's, and still a little color...
fall 2020_0.jpg

Oddly enough we also had a mild wet summer. Highly unusual. But like the adage: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth...I'm just going to be appreciative and see what comes.

Our weather makes a turn tonight. An inch of rain tonight and then dropping into the mid 20's tomorrow. Just got back up from the garden after putting row covers on the lettuce and some of the greens. Now is the season for covers on, covers off, but we use an easy system with old fencing as hoops over the beds in a few places, then row cover over the wire hoops and clothes pins to hold the covers to the hoops and keep it from blowing off. We can cover or uncover the beds in use in about 10 min.

Glad to hear you had good weather and a nice weekend. Thanks for coming by!

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

enhydra lutris's picture

and the jokes. It is time to start the xmas routine which, for us, does not involve much if any shopping except for food and stuff for next year like maybe seeds and fencing to enclose out mini garden. We have a nocturnal mammalian raider or two to exclude from selected areas. We also have decorations to put up and cards to send, the one part of the holiday I somewhat like.

Have some winter projects to kick off too.

Glad that NooYawkers will once again be able to get closer to their god who apparently lives only in buildings, perhaps inside the no longer sacrificial altars or perhaps other sacred paraphernalia. He did after all overcome all of the outdoor and open space gods by force and mayhem, and, as the winner, must be worshiped in his chosen time, place and manner, nes't ce pas? I'm just curious why the courts don't respect the rest of the first amendment.

be well and have a good one

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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 --

Lookout's picture

@enhydra lutris

We've created a digital season message which we personalize a bit and send to our friends. It is fun to integrate images and music into the greeting.

Otherwise we stopped exchanging gifts many years ago. I give the younger folks cash and never shop for junk...unless I find a deal at Trade Day like on a bundle of carhart wool socks which I did buy and distribute one year. This season we'll stay here and mail cash to the young folks.

As to your critters, we had good success with an electric fence. This is the best type if it is in your budget and you have an inclination...
https://www.premier1supplies.com/garden_wildlife/fencing.php
Easy set up take down.

Best of luck. It is frustrating to find your crops eaten!

Hope you have a nice Sunday and good week! Glad you "came" by.

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

lotlizard's picture

@Lookout  
https://pbfcomics.com/comics/billy-the-bunny/

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Lookout's picture

@lotlizard
...and eaten the rabbits. Wonder how that approach would have played?

Thanks for the comic.

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

ggersh's picture

does to prop up the elites, banks etc.etc.etc. and this is what happens

https://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=33065112

Gold: Wall Street on Parade blocked after exposing diversion of billions to market-rigging ESF

For some hours now the internet site Wall Street on Parade, operated by the indefatigable financial journalists Pam and Russ Martens, has appeared to be under a distributed denial of service attack:

investopedia.com

While this may be merely a coincidence, the attack came soon after the Martenses revealed Friday that hundreds of billions of dollars appropriated by Congress and the president for "economic stimulus" purposes have been diverted by the Treasury Department to its secretive Exchange Stabilization Fund and used to buy euros, yen, and euro- and yen-denominated assets, among other things:

gata.org

The ESF was created by the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 specifically for secret intervention in the gold and currency markets to "stabilize" the international value of the dollar:

home.treasury.gov

en.wikipedia.org

Under amendments to the law, the ESF now is authorized to intervene in and manipulate any market in the world. For years GATA has called attention to the ESF's authorization to rig markets, including the gold market, but the Martenses' report Friday appears to provide the first details about the fund's recent operations.

Their report doesn't prove that the ESF has used the "stimulus" money to knock the gold price down and support the dollar in recent weeks, but it is hard to think of any other explanation for the counterintuitive crash in gold even as the dollar was faltering.

The Martenses' report is pretty close to a smoking gun and the quick attack on their site can only strengthen suspicions.

After publicizing the Martenses' work in a dispatch to you Friday --

gata.org

-- GATA also brought it to the attention of many national and international financial news organizations and financial newsletter writers, not so much out of any expectation that they would attempt serious journalism about such a sensitive topic as to put on the record their cowardice and betrayal of their audience. As far as we can tell, as of this hour none has pursued the matter, not even Zero Hedge, which often pays attention to the anomalies of the gold market as long as GATA doesn't have to be mentioned.

Well, GATA doesn't have to be mentioned here either. The Martenses did the work. But everyone who advocates free and transparent markets in the monetary metals and limited and accountable government might do the world a service by urging news organizations and financial commentators to start questioning the Treasury Department about what is happening here.

In their report Friday the Martenses noted that the House Financial Services Committee is to hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 2, to question Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, and the Martenses said they would ask committee members to raise the ESF issue. Americans could help if they sent this dispatch to financial journalists and especially their members of Congress and urged them to investigate.

In the meantime let's wish the Martenses the best in defeating what seems like a vile but telling attack on their heroic work and in restoring access to it here:

wallstreetonparade.com

Chris Powell, Secretary/Treasurer
Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee Inc.

CPowell@GATA.org

Message 33064814

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Lookout's picture

@ggersh

and propped up the dollar for years.
Just last Sept.
JP Morgan To Pay $1 BILLION In Record Settlement For Precious Metals Manipulation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuVCMYDENAc (12 min)
But Does it Stop them ? And Who is going to Jail ? Jamie Diamond is Teflon ? What JP Morgan Exec. is going to jail?
but wait there's more...
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/the-9-billion-witnes...

And the Fed is knee deep too.

Thanks for the info on the article...couldn't get to wallstreetonparade site to open but you GATA link worked
There are two opposing narratives living side by side in the United States: independent journalists and researchers have documented how the behemoth banks on Wall Street are as crooked as ever, while the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome Powell, repeatedly tells Congress and the press that these banks are a "source of strength" in this economic crisis.

Never mind that the Fed is flooding these banks with trillions of dollars in cumulative loans at less than 1 percent interest. Corporate-owned mainstream media that are dependent on financing from these same banks prefer the Fed's alternative version of reality. Corporate-owned mainstream media that are dependent on financing from these same banks prefer the Fed's alternative version of reality.

Wall Street On Parade has repeatedly written about critical reports showing serial corruption at these banks that have been censored by those Pulitzer Prize-winning media outlets.
Yesterday provided another example: The New York Times refused to cover the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists' stunning report on how five of the biggest banks on Wall Street have continued to launder dirty money for fugitives and suspected criminals.

finally got their site to load...
https://wallstreetonparade.com/2020/09/theres-a-pattern-of-corporate-med...

Thanks! Have a good one.

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

Lookout's picture

but I'm going to drop it in here for those with an interest in cancer. Jason Fung looks at the history of our understanding of the nature of cancer. In the last 45 min he gets to our current understanding that all multicellular creatures can get cancer. He suggest it is a vestige of our primitive one celled ancestors expressing ancient genetic material found in us all. The difference is creating conditions which provide for their expression. Fascinating stuff...(1.3 hours)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrqXKf3tprE]

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

snoopydawg's picture

Monolith disappears, rock pile and mini pyramid now in its place

The monolith has likely been in that spot, ominously waiting for its time to shine for a while. Internet detectives found satellite images of the monolith that show it appeared in the area sometime between August 2015 and October 2016.

I wonder if we will ever know the facts about who placed it there, why and why did they remove it? Or did they.......?

University of Utah researchers discover genes linked to suicide

Researchers at University of Utah Health's Huntsman Mental Health Institute have detected more than 20 genes that may play a role in suicide.

...
The study, among the first comprehensive genome-wide analyses of suicide death, also found significant genetic cross-connections to psychiatric diseases and behaviors associated with suicide, researchers said.

"Understanding that there is a strong genetic component will destigmatize the subject of suicide," Docherty said

I have been through the fight to not kill myself and I still suffer from suicidal ideation that comes out of the blue and usually after a traumatic event. I seem to be doing fine, then boom I picture myself with a gun to my head and pulling the trigger. I can't tell you how many times that has happened in the 2 months since Charlie died. I also spent 3 months in hell walking with one foot over the edge trying to stay grounded to whatever would keep me here. Fortunately I did survive that, but I don't think I would if faced with it again.

Reading the comments on the article shows that there are a lot of people struggling daily with it and depression and this offers them some hope. Maybe. It is a hard and lonely fight.

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@snoopydawg
When young I had a fierce will to live and a strong fear of death. This year, I just feel like letting it go. It feels like there never will be a good time again. Just drudgery and pain.

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10 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Lookout's picture

@snoopydawg

Monolith gone, puny pyramid in its place. I bet they (artists are my guess) are laughing about it! Thanks for the update!

As to suicide there are some new strategies...

A renewed look at old interventions has found an interesting way to treat the emotional distress that is associated with life-threatening illnesses—psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be the answer.
For example, one randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial from Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin was able to largely decrease depression, anxiety, and fear of death in those with life-threatening cancer while increasing quality of life, optimism, relationships, and spirituality. What’s more, is that these benefits were sustained even after 6 months.
Heffter Research Institute has found the same statistically significant results in similar trials, too.

https://drhyman.com/blog/2019/07/01/a-new-approach-to-anxiety-depression...

In another post Mark continues

Without oversimplifying it, here are a few factors that could contribute to depression:

Low thyroid function
Vitamin D deficiency
Folic acid or B12 deficiency
Omega-3 fats deficiency
Food allergies
Inflammation
Bugs in our gut affecting our brain or immune system
Hormonal imbalances

We can change our body to change our mind! Here are six strategies that I often recommend to my patients who have depression:
1. Eat whole, real food (including fats).
Feed the brain and body with a nutrient-dense, whole, fresh, plant-based diet that includes plenty of protein and healthy fats. Our brain is about 60 percent fat, so it makes sense that eating plenty of healthy fats (including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids) and protein can help heal our brain.

2. Cut out sugar.
If you've ever eaten something sugary, “crashed” a little later, and felt absolutely miserable, you already know how sugar can hurt your mental health. Plus, studies suggest that sugar consumption may contribute to depression. Become a detective and find hidden sources of sugar to cut out of your diet.

3. Exercise regularly.
Some research suggests that consistent exercise might be as good as or even better than antidepressants for some people. Find a workout plan that you can stick to.

4. Get enough sleep.
Terrible sleep may exacerbate depression. So aim for eight hours of solid, uninterrupted shut-eye every night. Here are some of my favorite tips for better sleep.

5. Manage stress levels.
Constantly feeling stressed out could contribute to depression. Find what creates calm for you and practice it regularly, whether that's meditation, yoga, or just walking your dog.

6. Take the right nutrients.
Many nutrients can help alleviate depression and support optimal brain health, including omega-3 fatty acids and 5-HTP. I recommend working with an integrative practitioner to customize a nutrient program.

Take care and be well. Hyman offers a free detox plan. He had mercury and mold toxicity himself which led to his detox procedure.

Sure was sorry to hear about Charlie. Have you considered getting another dog? Hang in there friend... Wishing you the best!

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snoopydawg's picture

@Lookout

The funny thing is that I’m sleeping much better because Charlie liked to move in and out of the covers or she would wake me up just to chat in the wee morning hours. She’d lay there quietly, but thump her tail...lol just to chat.

Some day..

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Lookout's picture

@snoopydawg

...and was glad to read your reply to deja below. I think everyone feels the disappearing daylight this time of year. Skies are gray here after yesterday's rain and we have possible snow flurries today. It amazes me how blue sky sunny days lift the spirit and gray ones are kinda downers...I've always heard it is the ions but I've never investigated. It is what it is.

Keep a good thought, and all the best!

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snoopydawg's picture

@Lookout

I did not mean to worry people here about my mental state. I learned coping skills from my time in the 'boat' after I went thru 15 life changing experiences in less than 18 months. From deaths of important people in my life, divorce, quitting long term job, moving out of state, new job, left because the doctor was a crook, new job, fired, new job, new relationships in between and finally my 1st dawg died. 1 month later I was in hell. Fortunately I had a great therapist who made herself available for me for 6 weeks when things were at their worst. She came close to admitting me, but didn't because she saw that I was still fighting. Hard lessons/lifetime skills in case it happened again. It hasn't except for the ideation has not gone away. But like I told Deja, it is warning that I am not dealing and I should no matter...... no one likes to hurt.

I only wanted to share the news of the study and highlight the hope that it gives to others to see that they are not 'defective' because they suffer from deep depression and the fight they go through to stay here. I see so many people saying that suicide is a selfish act when it is an act from someone who is in so much pain that they can no longer see the shore and their pain seems overwhelming that they can see no way through it so they make their decision to end it. Add in that many anti depressants warn against the increase in suicidal ideation that come with them. I was put on Prozac which seemed a wonder drug for many, but it kicked me into a maniac episode and driving to work and not crashing the car into a bridge abutment and ending it. I quit taking them cold turkey which was another fun ride on the roller coaster I'll tell you.

Depression run in so many families and mine was double cursed with both manic/depression illnesses. This study will give hope to millions who suffer. And it tells people that it is not their fault so they should just 'get over it'.

I get plenty of Vit D from my daily walks plus it helps manage my mood to get outside and see what's new at the place I have walked at over 4/5,000 days over a decade. I do know that my diet is lacking, but there are so many things I cannot eat. And liquid diets turn my stomach after being on them for months twice because of my jaw. I got the flu days after the wires came out and as often the case eating something when you're sick turns you off certain foods. Liquid and soft foods...ugh. I'd go to the store trying to find something I could eat and just got nauseated.

TMI?

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travelerxxx's picture

@snoopydawg

TMI?

Not at all, snoop. It's important to explain. Helps everyone.

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Lookout's picture

@snoopydawg

Sometimes it is going uphill, and other times flowing down. Glad you are handling things well. Take care friend.

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Deja's picture

@snoopydawg @snoopydawg
Sending you a great big virtual hug (((Snoopydawg))).

I have no advice, just the hug. Love ya, sister!

Edit: cold fumble thumb spelling correction

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snoopydawg's picture

@Deja

You’re very sweet. Just so you know I’m not suicidal or depressed right now. That happened in the past and I feel lucky to have survived through it like so many people. Plus the gun thing is just in my mind. I got rid of mine decades ago when I started having those thoughts. But it’s a nudge to acknowledge the pain and deal with it. I am very sad of course and have my moments where it feels unbearable, but it’s not happening as often. The sun still comes up for me every morning.

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smiley7's picture

Homeless.

Cheers for the good humor and garden tips and links, especially; know i love those. DIL wants a place to have a garden, must encourage her to join and read your wonderful archives.

A feast photo, enjoyed seeing it and i'm reminded of "A Movable Feast," and am planning on a long one. Presently on the coast, see photo in Saturday's OT, if interested in exactly where.

A change is underway, speaking of feast, i'll share last evening's indulgence:

Freshly caught Grouper and large shrimp with a 'sauted' fresh raspberry and garlic side sauce, oven roasted cubed yellow potatoes marinated in olive oil and Italian spices, apple slices, baked, and a salad from my window garden i harvested and brought with me: arugula, baby mustard, Swiss chard topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano., olive oil, lemon and fresh garlic.

Marinated the shrimp and Grouper, 6 ounces, cut into almost 1/2 inch fillets in salt, pepper and lemon juice, about an hour.

Started the oven potatoes, munched on store-brand blue cheese, a very fine Swiss aged Gruyere and raspberries. Enjoyed three mild Salty-dog coctails while cooking, slowly.

In a saute pan, i gently roasted 4 large garlic cloves in olive oil and then let rest, removing the garlic from pan and peeling.

When ready to eat, i added butter and 'sauted' the fish rapidly, removing it and quickly de-glazing the pan with lemon adding the raspberries and garlic cloves all mashed together and more butter. Plated the fish and raspberry sauce beside it, potatoes, apples, the cheeses, sliced cucumber, plain, to clean the palate and served it with warm buttered garlic sourdough and a cheap Sauvignon blanc.

Wishing you a happy day.

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QMS's picture

@smiley7

it is really amazing what one can concoct
with the proper ingredients and inspiration!

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Lookout's picture

@smiley7

So good to "see" you this morning. Looks like snow headed your way soon.

As to DIL's garden, better to order seed sooner rather than later. I like this fellow's approach to creating a garden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LH6-w57Slw (28 min)
Now would be the time to cover her future site
If she likes that clip here's his channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/CharlesDowding1nodig/videos

Hope all your business dealings are progressing nicely and the end is in sight.

You joke also works for musicians. Here's another that would work for both...

What do you say to a musician in a suit?
Will the defendant please rise.

Be well!

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QMS's picture

Alice's Restaurant

a bit long, in case you forgot Wink

about the peace movement

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Lookout's picture

@QMS

Arlo is often at the Fla folk fest..I think he winters there, and there's lots of stories about Woody in Fla. Anyway Arlo told the story of how his family calls Alice's Restaurant the song that killed Woody...mainly cause it came out about the time he died and it ws the last song he played for his dad.

Thanks for the memory and link!

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QMS's picture

@Lookout

gets out to play on occasion. met her at one of our peace vigils. interesting lady.
forgot to listen this swing around the universe. had a good message, still
resonates.

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Anja Geitz's picture

Appreciate the time you take in preparing them for us. Your attention to detail is inspiring Smile

Thanks for the picture of your leftover meal. Looks wonderful, as does the broccoli!

The Jimmy Dore bit was funny. Especially Biden’s message. What is it they say about satire being moral outrage transformed into comic art? Well, we might as well do both.

Happy Sunday Lookout.

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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

Lookout's picture

@Anja Geitz

In fact threw a row cover over them this AM as a freeze is coming tomorrow night.

Thanks for coming by and reading. Appreciate your comment.

Have a great Sunday!

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Deja's picture

So happy to read about the gardening. I decided on containers due to swampland whenever it rains a lot now that they redid the highway and installed super fancy drainage, that has humps leading to the main highway ditch. If only we could figure out a way to convince the swamp to defy physics and run up those humps. Sigh.

Over the last 2.5-3 days we got at least 6". I started having Harvey flashbacks and so did my cat. Tried finding exact total but got lost. I did find that the river that's less than a mile from me is over 10' higher than it was on Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow, I will have to cover the late blooming tomatoes, okra, and Rooster Spur peppers in preparation for the dip to freezing. We had 80s last week. No money for store bought covers. I plan on digging out sheets. Since I work (remote -- thankfully) from 11am-8pm, I guess I'll have to do it during lunch at 3pm. They'll lose a couple hours of sun, but it's pitch dark by 8pm and I might miss something. Headlights are cool but don't exactly put the light where you need it, and a flashlight leaves me with one hand to use.

Then I'll take them off the next day and repeat the process.

Doing damage control on the compost bin today too. I neglected watering it last week, and fire ants moved in. Not anymore lol. No dry leaves at the moment, but I have cardboard.

Do you think covering the plants would be better done in the dark, when it's closer to freezing, or at 3pm when it's sunny (hopefully) and I'll be able to see that they're all completely covered?

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Lookout's picture

@Deja

to cover and let it warm inside. We've already covered today because it is about to rain. We're past the mater, peppers, and other summer crops. Y'all must be pretty mild in your area. Nice long growing season.

We reuse our covers year to year. We keep them in plastic tubs in the garden shed ready for use. 50 x 7 foot is about $12 or so...don't know about that on your side of the pond.

Also can be insect and bird barriers.

Be careful with all your rain. Especially around the river!

Thanks for coming by and the visit!

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Deja's picture

@Lookout
Afternoon it is.

I did the whole thing all wrong -- 1st time as an adult and actually doing the whole thing myself. I started the seeds on April 4th. But moved them to the porch before a bad storm in about May. They were not getting anything but hot afternoon sun, until it started changing course a bit, and they now get some mid day sun too.

I also didn't know I needed to feed them, or do "flower sex" for the tomatoes. Once I started doing both of those, they started producing. They are FINALLY starting to ripen, just in time for a freeze.

Like I said, I did it all wrong. Next year, I'll do things very differently, like a raised bed on the little bit of ground that doesn't hold water for days, and I'll start them sooner, like Feb or March. Live and learn, as they say.

Also, I'm on your side of the pond, but not on your side of the Mississippi. The other side of Houston from you, hence the hurricane Harvey reference. Stay dry and warm; and thanks again for the advice!

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Lookout's picture

@Deja

I was thinking dawn meta not deja, sorry for the confusion.

I don't care how experienced a gardener is, there is always more to learn, and every year is different. I like containers. When we grow carrots, we do so in cardboard boxes with a sandy soil mix. Have not bothered in the last few years as organic carrots are now at the grocery.

Like Joni wrote in Woodstock..."life is for learning". Keep learning, every year will see your harvest grow.

Good luck with your project!

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QMS's picture

Tonight we will be treated to a partial lunar eclipse
after midnight on the eastern coast
if your skies are clear and
insomniac

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Lookout's picture

@QMS

...but thanks for the heads up! Tomorrow maybe?

For us in North America, the November full moon is the Beaver Moon or Frosty Moon. In the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s the opposite time of year, the November full moon is a fixture of the spring season. For all of us, this November 2020 full moon shines directly in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull. It’s the third and final full moon of this Northern Hemisphere autumn or Southern Hemisphere spring. We in North America are well placed to view a partial penumbral eclipse of this full moon on the night of November 29-30. Greatest eclipse will be November 30 at 09:43 UTC or 4:43 a.m. EST

https://earthsky.org/tonight/full-moon-faint-eclipse-november-29-30

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Lookout's picture

@lotlizard

or you're an anti-Semite. Even if you're a Jew.

Poor Jeremy Corbyn got caught in it too.

But let's bulldoze some more Palestinians and kill some more Iranians. It is the merikan/isreali way.

Thanks for the link!

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magiamma's picture

And everyone

Late now. Sunnis setting and doors are wide open. Warm today. No rain in sight. Things are thirsty. My Camilla started blooming today. Thanks for the links, humor and music

Give peace a chance. Be well. .

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Lookout's picture

@magiamma

Dark now here. Good to "see" you. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Rainy and cooling. To every thing...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qURAnrk30ng]

Have a great week!

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