02/11 OT: Why we even have Open Threads
Ever heard of "Threadjacking"? It's a thing. Somebody writes a post about North Carolina High School Basketball and, should a commenter waver off topic, be it a minor digression or a full blown mini-essay about something other than North Carolina High School Basketball and they can be denounced, decried and taken to task for trying to "hijack" the thread, aka threadjacking.
On the other hand, if I were to pen an essay comparing 21st century tats to 14th century tatting, and label it an open thread, then anything goes, including detailed expositions on the ins and outs of home brewing or go cart racing.
So, short form: We have officially designated OTs so folks can have a public forum to post as much or as little as they see fit on anything and everything they desire without the risk of being "off topic" or the need to actually post an essay of their own. Its that simple.
A lot of people often have stuff they wish to say or communicate, but don't really feel like posting an essay. Often they feel that they really don't have enough to say to merit a full essay, of maybe just want to say it's a nice day where they are and that they are glad that it is.
So, an open thread is like a giant chalkboard upon which anybody and everybody can write anything and everything that they feel like, or an endless all-purpose bulletin board
Here, various persons often write some sort of content as an OT, not to create a topical thread, but to convey some information or ideas that they feel like conveying and or to get the ball rolling, and that material can, of course become thematic as to some comments or comment threads, but it needn't. At some point the author shuts up and then it is really "what's on radar" reader? We don't and probably can't have a real participatory democracy in this country, but in this little piece of the Universe, it is the intent of Open Threads to foster participatory discussions, promotions, expositions, and, thank Ishtar, rants.
Got that? This is a public forum, your forum, so, what's on your radar?
BTW, I won't be here when this posts, so play nice.
Comments
A clear explanation EL
Magi's Hot Air will be missed.
The opportunity to openly share is good.
Thanks for keeping it alive.
question everything
Definitely thank and will miss magi. I just stumbled across
a cache of links and pages that I haven't visited in some time now, all the eco-news, green news, etc. I let myself get completely lazy and just rely upon magi (mostly) for my info and updates on such matters, now I've got to start checking them out again, damnit
be well and 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 --
We are barely dodging the ice bullet
for the next several days. Looks like TN is going to get creamed. Everything is tracking just North of AL. I hate ice storms. It starts sounding like a gunshots as trees and limb break with loud snaps. I cringe for the trees and typically the loss of power as those trees fall across power lines. Wishing all the linemen and women the best in this up coming week of ice.
Snow is a different story, but the snow will be much further north.
We're getting our first round of vaccine today. I hope this is the beginning of the end of COVID isolation for us. We still plan to wait till mid-April to start gathering (it will be next month before the second shot and then 4 more weeks to be safe).
My trees arrived yesterday and I quickly got them in as dusk fell. Rain today so they should adapt well...hope so anyway.
So thanks for the OT, el. Hope someone steps up to regularly host the Thursday slot. Y'all have a great day!
Openness...in NZ?
New Zealand – Open Spaces, Open Hearts & Open Minds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA7MYbRuXwA (3.7 min)
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Power lines and vaccines
Never saw trees or even large shrubs near power lines in Illinois. here we worry about the weight of ice and sometimes winds approaching hurricane speed. Lines always break somewhere in extreme temps but I think it's actually thermal contraction causing the stress. A few years ago when we had -20F which tied a record, lines went down in Aurora and in one of the Northern lakeshore suburbs. Techs didn't actual go out at -20, but when temperature rose to negative digits they did. Those linemen are jewels. They deserve a huge bonus more than fatcat CEO's.
Just got this link: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/10/tech/robert-kennedy-jr-instagram-ban/inde...
In a contest between RFK Jr. and Bill gates, who do think is going to lose?
Hang on to your hats! The corporate stooge is in the Whitehouse now!
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Viruses as shapeshifters.
This article in Science is a good summary about how viruses mutate, evolve, and generate variants or (variations on a theme). https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210203144533.htm
It is a problem because we don't know how long our vaccines will be effective.
Will miss magi's Thursday OT but know she has new projects and work underway.
Good morning, el ~~
Happy New Moon day! It will occur in Aquarius at 2:05 PM Eastern/11:05 Pacific time.
Set an intention, light a candle, meditate. How can you bring balance to the world?
More at the link!
Enjoy new moon day!
"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 evening RA. Beyond a navigational aid and source of
light, I think my intro to the Moon was Selene, and, much later Rhainnon. The moon's light is a cold light and casts very special shadows. Its heavenly motions too are most irregular for navigational and time telling purposes. It is a thing for poets:
In stony moonlight
hills and fields
on every side
white and bald as eggs
~~ ransetsu
Not that New Years' aren't:
New year dawning clear ...
cheerful sparrows
chatter
all day like people
~~ransetsu
Happy new moon and new year to you.
be well and 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 --
Norway,
I always wanted to live there. They know how to do things.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/10/nods-countrys-free-tuition-...
Hey, we can do things, we could have a nice place to live. Why not?
Oh, I take it back.
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/02/10/america-should-be-ashamed-t...
Scandinavian stand-up comedy — by an Icelander speaking English
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/OSacz4GHQjs
Funny
Some American tourista comedy
Ha! So funny.
I love going to comedy clubs in Canada. They get all their jokes from watching Americans.
Open threads truly foster community.
The off-topic conversations allow people to realize what passions and fears they share with others, whether it be positive and uplifting like food and wine, or negative and soul-chilling like war or police brutality (which is basically war).
The knowledge that one is not alone is absolutely priceless. Speaking strictly for myself, I learn as much, and take as much value away, from the open threads as I do from the well thought out essays that the writers here contribute. And sometimes, a proper rant is good for the soul. Open threads forever!
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Stink bugs
Good morning everyone.
Does anyone else have a problem with stink bugs? I am so sick of those stinky bastards. Every day I see and/or smell no less than 3. I have a bowl of soapy water for them, but they don't fly into it on their own. I have to move the bowl near them and knock them in it. If they're in a place where I can't just knock them in the bowl, I have to squish them with a paper towel and that makes them stink.
Just the other day, one flew on my granddaughter's playpen. It sprayed her hand but thankfully she didn't catch it and eat it. I did have to wash her hands and change her shirt though.
Anyone that doesn't have a problem with them should count their lucky stars. They're almost as bad as cockroaches. Except cockroaches don't smell as bad.
Never had them here
I suspect spiders eat them.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
They are in this area
Stink bugs are an invasive species here in Pacific Northwest. I don't remember where their native habitat is, nor the problems they cause by being where they don't belong. Maybe it is eating food meant for other insects.
Mantises eat stinkbugs
I don't think there are many bugs that mantises won't eat. Of course it's winter now, so there aren't any mantises about.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
No reason to squish them.
People here plant marigolds
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I was going to say beer traps
https://www.thebugsquad.com/stink-bugs/stink-bug-trap/
My favorite suggestion in the comments is this one, for the sport. She doesn't mention the stink though:
The lock upon my garden door is ants. I love my garden ants, but not when they are herding aphids all over everything. Already I can see them scouting as the dirt warms, and so I did order online neem oil and borax bait. Circle of Life includes death. da wheel
Peace and Love
I'll try that
stinky cockroaches that fly
Come spring, get some mantises
They'll be only too happy to eat the stinkbugs.
We used to be overrun with stinkbugs - then the mantises moved in and chowed down. We saw some mighty big mantises for a year or two, and few to no stinkbugs.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Well stated Mr. lutris...
and correct.
Too late at night
to go on at length, but discovered this site the other day - coverage of COVID situation that you are not going to be getting on social media or MSM. YMMV but, for instance:
Nothing like having to go to court to get a doctor to save your life. Wonder how many are dead because they had no such recourse or (mis)placed their trust in a medical system that regards them as (unlike profits) dispensable...
We are being told that benefits of vaccination outweigh risk, but what is the risk of jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet? Kind of depends, doesn't it? Without a parachute, terminally risky. With a functional one and the knowledge of how to use it - considerably less.
Effective therapeutics, especially cheap and relatively safe ones with long-established track records, such as HCQ and Ivermectin are the parachutes in this scenario, but the FDA/Fauci/Big Pharma establishment seem bent on denying their efficacy and the right of you and your doctor to decide to employ one should you end up in free fall...
Also:
Have been hearing some pretty horrific things about the longer term risks of the mRNA "vaccines" - that they may induce formation of prions, that they may cause severe autoimmune reactions - not so much immediately but in a longer time frame.
from:
Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
COVID-19 RNA Based Vaccines and the Risk of Prion Disease J. Bart Classen, MD
Commenter to another article had this to say about mRNA "vaccines" - there are people here more qualified than me to assess the validity of the comment - but I'd sure be doing my own research if I was contemplating vaccination - at this point I trust my own immune system a whole lot more than Bill Gates, WHO, Pfizer...
Cheers, all.
Bedtime in Nihon...
I might get a convential vaccine like Sputnik
but not mRNA vaccine. Viruses can cause effects decades later. A University of Chicago doctor told my father that his Parkinson's was aggravated by having had the Spanish flu in 1918 when he was two years old.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
My mother
her parents and both her older siblings all survived the Spanish Flu epidemic, mother was only 6 or 7 years old, brother and sister were older. One of those things that I kick myself now for is never having had the presence of mind to ask any of them about it...
Oh, well.
As my mom said that her mom used to say: "We are too soon old and too late smart."
The Chinese are also making the traditional vaccines
Sinopharm has been producing a killed virus while CanSino is making an adenovirus vectored vaccine (like the Russian Sputnik V). Only the US is manufacturing the untested mRNA vaccines, which I will not accept for the very reasons Dr. Merritt discusses.
Dr. Merritt did not give China credit for this fact. She also insinuates the Chinese have weaponized Covid 19) in the above talk Covid-19 Bioweapon - Dr. Lee Merritt. She has also stated (in other discussions) that PLA soldiers are suddenly keeling over from vaccinations of mRNA vaccines, which is COMPLETELY false. They were testing the standard killed virus which Dr. Merritt approves.
Dr. Merritt also slandered ethnic Chinese Americans who were working in American firms. There are millions of Chinese American citizens working in the sciences in America.
She speaks of vitamin D as a "new discovery" for prevention and treatment of viral infections. This has been known for years. I have been taking 10,000 iu vitamin D since February last year (it's also good for cancer).
I think we are all familiar with Dr. John Campbell's reports from Mar 9, 2020:
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5yVGmfivAk]
Didn’t know you were in the land of anime, manga, and AKB48. n/t
Oh, yes -
for a few decades now.
Accounts (or provides excuses) for not often replying to things in a timely fashion.
You are in Saxony or Hanover or somewhere like that, no?
A long way from Hawaii...
Indeed, the only way to keep going sometimes is to remember that
as long as you have the spirit of truth and true aloha in your heart, then Hawai‘i is also around you, in you, and with you, wherever your earthly physical manifestation may be.
I wished the employer of my son in HI would have
a little spirit of Aloha, but they are simply abusers (and not Hawaiian). Case closed.
https://www.euronews.com/live
I suspect "Ralph Thinks" is inappropriate verbiage.
I suspect Ralph Opines would be far better and I suspect he has zero evidence for any of that. Just my two cents worth. For starts, there would be no worry over how long the effects would last if it were perpetual, and if it were "a bioweapon designed to kill you ..." then it would already have killed vast numbers. Of course, Moderna is no doubt lying about starting human trials back in March of last year, and about it not killing all the lab animals it was tested on, but it has already been given to huge numbers of humans.
be well and 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 --
Bitter cold weather in Austin
Austin is facing a week of weather that has not been experienced in decades. Today we are not getting above the 30’s and it will remain this way for the rest of the week and through Tuesday. There is even a possibility of snow so the crowds are going wild!
Glad to see they are sending out busses to the areas where the homeless have been camping and offering to take them to shelters for protection from the weather. There are strong winds and it is very miserable in the brief period I have been outside.
Have a lot of cold weather gear but it appears left some of the stuff in Santa Fe because never expected this to happen.
Really did enjoy Magi’s OT about the climate. I am sure she did as I did and feel overwhelmed about all the climate issues we are facing or seeming to be ignored by our government. Always felt I needed to get out and do something to help the environment after her OT!
Guess this rambling discourse does prove that the OT does allow for all types to join in!
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Checking in here, we haven't left yet. We have an appointment
100+ miles away with 2 stops along the way. It is supposed to rain later, both here and there (and ll points between) so it is TT time (truck travel), trading mileage for greatly improved visibility and crash resistance. Personally cycling between enhancing and enjoying personal ineffeciency (for reasons) and trying to increase efficiency or eliminate inefficiency (also for reasons). It seems that each has its place.
I woild note that the whole efficiency thing, especially in todays world, especially in the US and EU, is generally an overrated hangover from another era. Foisted upon us by efficiency experts with their time and motion studies and all that to enhance out productivity (throughput), not in any personal growth or development sense, but purely in terms of our exploitation, of the measure of our strenght, intelligence, energy and spirit that can be extracted for the benefit of those who exploiut us. (Note to self, this could turn into an essay maybe?) Ah well, typing while eating brakfast in order to increase time available for other pursuits later. I can only hope that they include a lot of idleness or non-purposive behavior.
Meanwhile, first stop 65 miles and 75 minutes away (boy is that second number a crock). Time to gather all the take along stuff including civilized/picnic knife of the day, an Opinel #8 in this case.
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 --
mornin’ everbody
Max the cat has diarrhea
and he just don’t care.
He’s never been a
tidy cat but in old
age he’s turned
into a total slob,
but I love him.
Love means
never sayin’
”You Stink”
Rivers are horses - and kayaks are their saddles
The white site design is very nice.
If there were a line of padding under the block quotes, it would be like heaven.
A dilemma
Gina Carano fired from 'Mandalorian' after social media post
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering." - Obiwan Kanobe
Was it really what she said or who she said that about? What if she said that Americans made its citizens fear and hate Native Americans so that it would soften them up for when the government murdered as many as they could, killed their food supply and then stuck them on some of the worst land here in America. If she had said those same words directed at NA would that have been okay? We did that. It is history.
Nate Robinson who wrote at the guardian was fired recently after writing things that were critical of Israel. Add in Israel getting congress and many state legislatures to pass laws outlawing BDS against Israel for its human rights abuses. That is definitely a strike against our right to free speech. I think that is what happened here too. Make a plug against Israel and you stand alone. I wonder how Yoda would have phrased that?
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt
Another take on this
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/515265-nazi-comparisons-gina-carano/
I want to know if she had talked about any other nationality would she still have been banned>? Have you seen what some people have said about Russia and Russians? Brennan said that Russians are genetically predetermined to lie or something like that. If he had mentioned Israel instead in his statement a ton of briks and all.
Facebook banned Project Veritas for videoing the FB head honcho at his home.
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt
Iceland’s national anthem — “Lofsöngur”
[video:https://youtu.be/CDKy-vf0JDc]
A national anthem that reminds one of the transience of all things, including nation and country? In line with yesterday’s item about a practice in Bhutan — thinking about death five times a day — being that culture’s secret to happiness.
Is this in reference to the Mavs
who decided that since there is no one at the NBA games anymore not to have the national anthem played before the game. I cheered because I have never liked it being a mandatory celebration if one feels different than the rest around them. But the NBA freaked out as did that Texas dude that thinks it is okay if Grandma dies as long as the economy keeps cooking. He is making it a law that it must be played at every event in texaz....
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt
If I would be as open as you suggest, it would
simply be a mud-slinging fight with life out of frustrations. nah, nah, I am much better person when I am closed.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Our lockdown in Germany makes people sick.
Merkel is a gonner, Van der Leyen has no trust anymore, The EU is getting on our nerves, I want to live ... nowhere right now.
I envy the Americans who have their own piece of land to live on and farm on it. Very privileged.
Well as you can see I am in a bad mood. Waiting for the EB and then go to sleep.
https://www.euronews.com/live
California variant of the coronavirus identified in Marin, Lake
Not yet, Sonoma.
pressdemocrat.com
Obvious?
"so called..."
"isn't clear..."
"hasn't been enough research..."
...Chan Zuckererg Biohub?
"There is obvious reason to plaster this headline all over the front page!"
good luck
I wore the second liner inside my homemade mask during all the time spent out in yesterday's agora. It was 76F up on my little deck, now it is 50F and drizzling. I think I saw a tiny tomato sprout volunteering downstairs, right where I am planning to set the seeds that have yet to sprout inside. heh
Peace and Love
But did it originate in Wuhan, China?
I have seen reports of COVID being found in sewer systems in Italy in Sept. 2019 months before the Wuhan outbreak. This info has been mentioned more than once and coming from a few other countries close to the town in Italy, but haven't seen much on since. WHO has determined that it did not escape from the Wuhan Lab. Not many believe it. Kinda gets in the way of CHINA is bad and we might have to fight them soon so don't get too attached to it. Biden has been playing chicken in the S China seas just because people don't have enough stress in their lives. Oh yeah in the Black Sea too and NATO will build to NATO bases in Ukraine which I am sure Russia won't mind. Just like we wouldn't if they built a few in Mexico. RIght? RIGHT?
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt
Bueller?
What? No, no, no.
Peace and Love
Some fun with Americans, who are they?
Are you scared of America? Yes I am, hugely scared.
[video:https://youtu.be/En8Tz2RzubE]
Why am I not called a German-American?
https://www.euronews.com/live
Thank you very much for this explanation.
"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
Late to your thread, el, but as you mention
North Carolina, you have my attention. As thematic open threads draw attention, magi's wonderful climate one, for instance, or Friday's funk, and ...
Lookout spoke of this on Sunday in the watch and he made a good point about the value of themed weekly columns.
However, without a host prepared to write weekly thematic works, columns, and sit around and encourage dialogue; that doesn't work ideally either, does it?
When folks contribute their time, free of charge as you and Joe in evening's do and have for years done so graciously, we all benefit individually and as a community.
No one experienced on blogs enjoys thread-jacking, always obvious or trolls, less so, or rude people, haters of life or conspirators for that matter.
No one is rushing to fill Saturday's; we've been discussing alternatives in PM's. I don't have an immediate solution beyond burdening someone who already contributes an OT.
And, frankly, i don't wish to end the wonderful experience of "Welcome to Saturday's" either. It's as i said, presently burnt out with much to accomplish, think upon, resources to allocate to good places and realizing i'm racing against a clock to do so.
Love this community, the good people in it and don't wish to shirk my responsibilities to it.
So, in comments i've read these past two weeks about OT's and in private ones suggesting alternatives.
I offer this temporary solution to Saturday's. I'll continue to put up an OT with photo and simple greeting, not promising thematic ones that take time and Saturday's OT lives. This is a win-win for me as when i've time and creative influences guiding me, more of the usual which takes hours to create and host may appear again in time.
A simple OT, no hosting during the day guaranteed.
Is this a reasonable compromise until dust settles?
Thanks for the discussion and look forward to your guidance.
Sounds wonderful to me, and I'm sure everybody else would
approve as well.
be well and have a good one, and be sure to allocate ample to other things and places.
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 --
@enhydra lutris I approve as well.
Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.
This ain't no dress rehearsal!
Wonderful contribution, el
In keeping with the spirit of the OT, what is on my radar is the cold front. We are about to have 4 days of freezing weather, including up to 5 inches of snow on Monday. To Texans, that is dreadful. We are not accustomed to icy or snowy highways, so we inept drivers are a danger to ourselves and others. We are crazy drivers, by definition.
So, what do I have planned? A little glamping trip to Toledo Bend Lake for 4 days at the cabin on the edge of the lake. Like, we will be hunkering down for vacay at the exact time we experience the coldest days of winter. Perfect timing, huh? It may be difficult to get back home, so I might be in zoom court there. I am taking my 2 case files for my Tuesday court docket with me, just in case.
Well, about OTs. I understand them to be open to whatever. It makes me feel I am not being courteous if I see an OT with a tightly written theme if I do not acknowledge and stay with the theme, exactly like I do in essays. If it is a themed OT or an essay in which I either have no interest or input, I just find something else to read. In truly open threads, I love the randomness of comments that can land spontaneously and go everywhere.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
You make a great point, OtC,
and as our community is accustomed to having daily threads to share the weather, ills, pains, births, pleasures and the fixing of the roof and whatever; open threads need to be.
Just read Johnny's thread of this morning and so happy studentofearh has volunteered. Hosts do matter, imho.
If I knew I would have the time to stick around for
responses, etc..., I would slap up something about whatever ran through my mind...travel, music, politics, current events, or that scary story about my legal assistant who had a driver pull a gun on her as he passed her on the highway, leading to a few thoughts about road rage...
One thing I would not do, is enslave myself to writing and composition. Hell, smiley, I am enslaved enough by my profession. Must have free time to be purely spontaneous.
I am glad you can now write the essay in your head when the muse inspires you, and be confident the comments will stay on topic.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
With Lot's help, we all endure, counsellor,
enjoy your weekend escape, champagne's on me.