The Weekly Watch

Life's Cycles

Open Thread image.jpg

We lost our beloved cat, Ellie, this week. She had a difficult last year with an overactive thyroid...always hungry and eating but unable to gain weight. At least death provides sweet release from suffering. We buried her next to her life long friend, our old dog Merle. We feel privileged to have shared her 15 year life. She was a joy to everyone who knew her... sweet and loving. We all ride this cycle of life from birth to death, it is up to us to make the best of the journey... and help others when we can, spreading love along our path trying to emulate our pets.

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RIP Merle and Ellie

Most people are driven to both love and be loved. Pets are the perfect example of love's two way connection. We've decided to go petless for a while. Merle died a few years ago and we didn't want to inflict a puppy or young dog on our aging cat. As the COVID crisis hopefully subsides we would like to travel a bit, and pets are an issue with travel. We never liked to idea of boarding our animals and we would find house/pet sitters to stay here when we were traveling. So we're taking some time off from pets and pet care, but I don't think that will be a permanent situation.

After burying Ellie we planted lettuce, mustards, and turnips in the garden. Life and death are in an endless cycle, and somehow it seemed appropriate to spread new life to celebrate the passing of another. Ellie enjoyed the garden and I have fond memories of her chasing butterflies there.

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She provided many happy memories.

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Ellie was a Berniecat in 2016 and would watch Bernie's speeches with me.

I never will forget hearing a ruckus on the porch one night many years ago. I went out to find two big raccoons being held at bay from the food bowl by Merle barking and little Ellie hissing as a young kitten.

Ellie from Natalie (21)_0.jpeg

Our pets have a wild world to survive. I always worried about coyotes and bobcats getting Ellie after Merle died, but she was wary and wise in the ways of this wild place.

Love is the point of pets...and perhaps human existence.

Death of Empire?

From my perspective it seems were at the end of the US empire. It can't come fast enough. It is like watching a sick animal suffer, you just want the pain to end.

The American Century Ends Early

How the USS Enterprise was transformed into the USS Roach: Let’s face it, whether we fully grasp the fact or not, we now live in a system, as well as a country, that’s visibly in an early stage of disintegration.

There was some interesting news this week, but in many ways it is the same old same old.
Biden, the warmonger, lives up to his reputation. The leopard doesn't change its spots. Sec. of Defense, General Raytheon, was making the media rounds falsely justifying the bombing.

Jimmy does a great job explaining, and makes the point the US are the terrorists.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w4MhIEr7Q (23 min)

With a deadly missile strike against an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia position on the Syria-Iraq border Friday, the Biden administration has spelled out in blood the real meaning of the Democratic president’s incessant declarations that “America is back.”

The attack, executed in blatant violation of international law and with no legal authorization from the US Congress, signals that the Biden White House is embarking upon a highly aggressive American foreign policy, escalating the militarism and confrontations pursued by its predecessor, in the Middle East and internationally.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/27/pers-f27.html

Maj. Danny Sjursen writes The Perils and Absurdity of Iraq War 4.0

The muddled US military mission and ongoing troop presence creates nearly all the conditions for the latest crisis.

Chris Hedges discusses the realities of war, its appeal for young men and its destruction of them, with Salar Abdoh, novelist and essayist. (25 min)

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2021/02/after-us-attack-in-syrian-iran-dem...

The Biden administration has yet to learn the lesson the Trump learned when he tired to provoke Iran and its allies. It is the resistance that has escalation dominance in the Middle East. It can control the pace of further steps up the escalation ladder. It is willing to step up higher than the U.S. It knows how to use that ability.

Here is proof for that:
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian @manniefabian - 14:34 UTC · 26 Feb 2021

An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing in the Gulf of Oman Friday. The crew and vessel were safe. The explosion forced the vessel, reported to be the Helios Ray, to head to the nearest port.
...
The dimwits in Biden's National Security Council seem to think that they can push Iran around and press it for "concessions". It is exactly the other way around. Iran and its allied forces can hit well selected targets like the Israeli ship, Saudi oil installation or U.S. bases in the Middle East with precision and at a time that fits their schedule. The U.S. has no ability to prevent such strikes nor can it respond in kind without risking a wider war that it has no chance to win.

And...
Biden Commits To Forever War On Afghanistan The forever war on Afghanistan will continue.
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2021/02/biden-commits-to-forever-war-on-af...

There's no need to wonder why. Just ask General Raytheon.
Biden Does Weapon Deals Before Covid Relief...more from Jimmy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75llLcKP674 (3 min)

Media is key to promoting the war machine...
Caity explains the nature of US delusion about our actions...
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2021/02/26/us-bombs-syria-and-ridiculously-...

Rather than doing anything remotely resembling journalism, the western mass media have opted instead to uncritically repeat what they’ve been told about the airstrike by US officials, which is the same as just publishing Pentagon press releases.
...
So we are being told that the United States launched an airstrike on Syria, a nation it invaded and is illegally occupying, because of attacks on “US locations” in Iraq, another nation the US invaded and is illegally occupying. This attack is justified on the basis that the Iraqi fighters were “Iranian-linked”, a claim that is both entirely without evidence and irrelevant to the justification of deadly military force. And this is somehow being framed in mainstream news publications as a defensive operation.

Also worth a read are Caity's notes from the edge of the narrative matrix. She's got some great lines like:

The facts are in and the debate is settled. Those who claimed the Democratic Party can be used to move the United States toward sanity were wrong. The first step to escaping a burning building is to stop pushing on the fake emergency exit door that’s been painted on the wall.

When everyone’s been marinating in propaganda their entire life, common sense is often non-sense.

Lord, please let me love myself the way western centrists love criticizing the brutality of non-western governments while ignoring their own.

As I suggested earlier, Biden hasn't changed his spots...
Biden in Houston: Indifference and contempt for victims of Texas catastrophe

Biden devoted the bulk of his brief remarks to touting his vaccination program and stressing the need for “unity” with the Republican Party. By virtue of his near silence on federal aid to the victims, Biden made clear that the millions of working class Texans devastated by days without power or clean water would have to fend for themselves.

Biden’s silence on the conspiracy between the energy giants and the state government to maximize profits by leaving the electrical system utterly unprepared for a winter storm did not come as a surprise. What was noteworthy, however, was the extent to which he went out of his way to embrace Governor Greg Abbot.

Power Analysis Failure

NYT coverage of the Texas Freeze separates cause and effect, lest readers understand that capitalism kills

No wage hike either... https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/02/27/wage-f27.html

Seizing on an advisory ruling Thursday by Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have effectively abandoned any effort to raise the federal minimum wage.

What Is ‘Moderate’ About Opposing a Minimum Wage Backed by 3/5ths of Voters?

The LA Times (2/17/21) reported that Biden, described as “a pragmatist who spent decades in the Senate,” was worried that a minimum wage hike would be deemed “inappropriate” for reconciliation.

Media suppression? Just consider Julian!
Big media continues to suppress any revelations about the US war machine.
Twitter Censoring Foreign Policy Criticism w/Max Blumenthal and Jimmy Dore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4AuWlO9iA (8 min)

Ironically Twitter's warning that Max's article was from hacked sources made the piece go viral and the Grayzone had record traffic because of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQfGVpU1Eg0 (15 min)
Aaron and Max discuss the story at length if you have a real interest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtQthwrWhqI (1 hour)
Here's the article entitled "Reuters, BBC, and Bellingcat participated in covert UK Foreign Office-funded programs to “weaken Russia,” leaked docs reveal"

It appears that just reporting on claims that the 2020 election was stolen, without supporting those claims, is enough for either a YouTube algorithm or human reviewer to banish a video
...
It is a particular affront to imply that Consortium News has made YouTube an unsafe place for its viewers. YouTube should clearly not be engaged in censoring news reports on behalf of a U.S. political party, which now controls both houses of Congress and the White House. With this incident YouTube has clearly shown it is incompetent to carry out the task it should not have been given in the first place.

https://consortiumnews.com/2021/02/26/youtube-rejects-consortium-news-ap...

It is a global struggle...

In the week that the United States rejoined the Paris Agreement, India arrested a 22-year-old climate change activist after she had worked on a campaign to raise awareness about the months-long farmers’ protest led by Sikh farmers from Punjab against three farm laws.
Disha Ravi, who shared a manual on mobilising — the “toolkit” — with Greta Thunberg, was accused of trying to foment unrest in India, and spent six days behind bars before she was dramatically granted bail by a judge in Delhi who defied the police and the central government.

https://consortiumnews.com/2021/02/26/letter-from-india-judge-stands-up-...

COVID isn't over and some suggest there will be a third wave...
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2021/02/covid-19-surfing-the-third-wave.ht...

The second wave of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has receded and the people have had enough of restrictions. There is immense pressure to end the lockdowns and many politicians will do as their voters wish. But there will be a third wave and it is likely to become larger than the second one. Below I try to explain why that is the case and what it means for our societies. My conclusions may sound alarmist, and I may be all wrong, but the scenario is neither impossible nor am I the only one who thinks it is likely.

And big pharma continues to suppress promising COVID treatments.

Any or all that you want to watch is interesting. I recommend hanging in there 10 min or so to get to the anecdotal stories. Dr Kory first discusses his struggle to get TPTB to use the best steroid at the best rates. He was successful last summer in getting steroid treatment into the standard care for COVID, but he is frustrated they are not recommending the best one and appropriate rates. I skipped that part if you want to rewind and hear that story.

So as we conclude I ponder the long line of pets who have touched my life over these decades. It is a joy of life to share their unconditional love...

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This Old Irish poem was written by a monk about his cat, in around the 9th century, and found in a monastery in Austria. (Pangur Bán is the name of the monk’s cat.) Describing the life of the monk in his study with his cat as his happy companion, this pet poem has everything for the pet-lover and book-lover. Just as the scholar goes in search of knowledge, so his faithful companion goes in search of mice.

Pangur Bán
By Anonymous
Translated by Seamus Heaney

From the ninth-century Irish poem

Pangur Bán and I at work,
Adepts, equals, cat and clerk:
His whole instinct is to hunt,
Mine to free the meaning pent.

More than loud acclaim, I love
Books, silence, thought, my alcove.
Happy for me, Pangur Bán
Child-plays round some mouse’s den.

Truth to tell, just being here,
Housed alone, housed together,
Adds up to its own reward:
Concentration, stealthy art.

Next thing an unwary mouse
Bares his flank: Pangur pounces.
Next thing lines that held and held
Meaning back begin to yield.

All the while, his round bright eye
Fixes on the wall, while I
Focus my less piercing gaze
On the challenge of the page.

With his unsheathed, perfect nails
Pangur springs, exults and kills.
When the longed-for, difficult
Answers come, I too exult.

So it goes. To each his own.
No vying. No vexation.
Taking pleasure, taking pains,
Kindred spirits, veterans.

Day and night, soft purr, soft pad,
Pangur Bán has learned his trade.
Day and night, my own hard work
Solves the cruxes, makes a mark.

Perhaps it is best to finish by reflecting on our own loving path...caring for one another, nurturing natural systems, and (at least in my case) reflecting on the many pets who touched and enriched my life. May you all be fortunate enough to have others to love and love you in return!

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Comments

Raggedy Ann's picture

I'm with you - the empire just needs to fall and get it over with. Every day is a new concern for the people who are not being taken care of. Every day we find our government is the greatest of human rights violaters toward their own people. Take a page out of the Israeli playbook. The 99% are akin to the Palestinians.

Edited to add - condolences on your pet losses. I, too, have taken a break from pets so that I may be free to travel. Later on, I'll need a couple of cats to keep me company. Drinks

Enjoy the day! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Lookout's picture

@Raggedy Ann

Hope you are doing well on your new path/adventure.

I'm celebrating the life of our little cat. She was a good one. The hurt of loss fades, but the joys of love remain.

I'm seeding mushroom spawn today in the mulch of the apple trees. They're wine caps and should spread throughout the garden. Supposed to rain all week, so I'm expecting success.

All the best!

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8 users have voted.

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

Thanks for the WW Lookout!

"To him, all good things—trout as well as eternal salvation—come by grace and grace comes by art and art does not come easy."

Norman Maclean

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Lookout's picture

@QMS

Kittens especially. We were talking last night about Ellie playing with toys. She gave them up last summer as she began the decline, but played with them up till then...most of her life. We knew we were at the end when a week or so ago she no longer wanted to go outside after spending 90+% of her life outside.

Hope all is well in your world and the weather has improved for you. We're due a week of rain and 50's for highs, but back into the 60's the following week. We had beautiful weather last week...70's and sunny!

Take care and be well!

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11 users have voted.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

I can't help but wonder how many times I have read Pangur Ban.

Somewhat more succinct is Kikiku:

Poor crying cricket
perhaps
your little husband
was caught by our cat

The endless propaganda is tiresome, as is the predictability of the duopoly's assorted maaequins standing up to serve and cater to the oligarchs.

The truest statement ever made was "we seek no wider war", no, not wider, merely perpetual, because we have always, always been at war with the entirety of the unabsorbed and unaffiliated world. How hot the war is at any time in any location varies, how overt, whether we use bullets or toxins or dollars or subversion, but the war has been global and unceasing since Ike if not before. Von Clausewitz told us that "war is a continuation of politics by other means." That may have been true of Prussia, but for the US it is inverted. Here Politics and diplomacy are but war by another means, the thinly veiled mailed fist pushing and prodding, pointing and taking and delivering the occasional slap does not indulge in quid-pro-quo exchanges nor friendly gestures but is ever threatening and undermining all but the compliant who kowtow to its global hegemony. And our press is ever its handmaiden, never failing to lie us into wars and other actions.

Haven't really planted anything new this season yet. Maybe getting foing on that would improve my vision, but would also liekely be premature. Ah well ...

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

but comes very soon.

The other shoe of war is the use of sanctions as a new form of the siege. The arrogance of the US telling other countries they better not use socialism to improve their citizen's lives is beyond the pale.

If the citizenry understood the horrors of our policies would they rebel?
Caity had and interesting take on that question
The People Haven’t Risen Up For The Same Reason Abuse Victims Don’t Leave Their Abusers
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2021/02/27/the-people-havent-risen-up-for-t...

Have a great day. Hope your weather is good. I would think there's no rush to CA gardening, but I know nothing of your gardening world on the left coast. Almost went to school at UC Davis, but Auburn coughed up a pretty good scholarship which kept me in Alabama.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

a different time, but the same endless war that started with the unconscious and unreasoned decision to seize as much of this continent as we could by force of arms and then expand from there, if not to own, then at least to control by other means all the land, seas, and peoples of this globe.

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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

TPTB were very clever eliminating the draft and creating a military of mainly poor kids.

Thanks for the Tom Paxton piece. Also like Pete's "Waist deep in the Big Muddy" and the great Phil Ochs
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rVTBCtYjoY]

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

@Lookout
mirrors the Germanization of the Roman Legions which started centuries before the Fall.

At least the Romans were candid about attacking other countries for slaves, loot, and colonization.

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

Lookout's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

The privatization of the military in general makes its mercenary nature obvious as well.

We lost power and just got it back. Becoming more common of late. Another sign of decay?

All the best

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5 users have voted.

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

@The Voice In the Wilderness looting and militarism were their aspirations and the path to Valhalla. So many new legislators list military service as their main qualifications.

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NYCVG

mimi's picture

@enhydra lutris @lookout
and the TPTB, who were very clever eliminating the draft and creating a military of mainly poor kids, were not clever, but bastards. of course the Germans had nothing better to do than imitating the Americans. Bastards as well.

Looking for the empire to collapse. Death of it would be a relief.

I had a dog, named Sasha. She had loved me and my son. When I had to give her away, it broke my heart. We never got another dog. Couldn't just handle the responsibilities that come with giving a dog a good home. We had no good home and traveling with a dog in air planes, is a torture for a dog. Well, Sasha saw Hawaii. May be it was torture for her to go there and it was torture for us to see we couldn't give her the home she deserved. The only way I would ever get another dog, would be, if we would own our my own piece of land and homestead on it. That will never happen in Dole Country. End of pipe dreams.

Thank for your weekly watch. I always appreciate to have the chance to read it.

PS. I admit, I am not a cat person. I guess that's bad. I should be less prejudiced.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi

in their manipulations of people and materials.

Dogs and cats are really different, but I like them both. There's good and bad in everything and everyone.

With all pets there is the balance of responsibility and enjoyment. Everyone's situation is different.

Hope you get to enjoy other folk's dogs. When in the UK, it seemed like everyone had dogs and took them most places. I have a few dogs as my friends who belong to buddies.

Spring comes soon!

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8 users have voted.

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout
so to speak.

I grew up with dogs. My mother bred them three times. I remember they always got six babies. We always kept one for us and the rest were sold. So, we had three generations of dogs in our house. They were all different in character. The first one was the most feisty (poodle) and we just had to say "Where is the cat?" and she ran like a rocket-propelled missile straight ahead in the garden and chased for the ghost cat. We had our fun with dogs. My mom got dogs, because my sister was attacked as elementary school girl by a huge German Shepherd and had a true dog-o-phobia. It helped a little to overcome her fears.

We didn't like cats. they could be pretty mean and dangerous for dogs. Somehow our first dog must have had a bad encounter with a cat and she really, really had very hostile feelings about cats. Here in Germany everyone seems to have a dog. Now in corona isolation and lock down times even more. I would enjoy the dog of our 'Man for everything' helping hand. He has a dog he loves almost too much, if that is even possible, but never brings his dog to us into the garden. The dog could 'disturb' the tenants, who live in the attached double house, is the excuse. I know it's an excuse, the real reason is that the dog could pee on the lawn and that leaves burned yellow spots on the lawn and that's just too much to bear for our golf-course kept lawn my sister loves so much. Yeah, unbelievable ... But there are people who are just like that. That's life.

Our first dog had real character. At that time there lived an old sailor in a little hut in the back of the garden. He was a character of his own too, smelled bad and told us stories how he kneaded bread dough on ships with his feet. He was mean to our dog and she refused to allow the old man to come closer to her than at least five yards. There was a warning and furious snarling when he came closer.

Sorry for your losses. I hope you get a new dog and cat soon. I am sure they will get along well, the same way as you get along well with all of us. Imagine to categorize us into dog breeds. I wonder what you would come up with. Smile

Have a good remainder of the weekend.

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@mimi

had hair once too
don't remember it being bad

smart dog

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mimi's picture

@QMS
it is very bad so far. Today hair cutters are allowed to open again in Germany, so guess what, my hair will be really 'nice' in the future. Yeah!

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Lookout's picture

@mimi

Imagine to categorize us into dog breeds. I wonder what you would come up with

Mutts

Whether you call them mutts, “Heinz-57s,” or mongrels, mixed-breed dogs are truly something special. Of course, purebred dogs are a big deal to many people. With well over 100 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, there is a breed to suit nearly any lifestyle and personality. However, there are millions of mixed breed dogs that die in animal shelters each year because there are simply no homes available. Before you buy your next purebred dog, consider the magic a mixed-breed dog can bring into your life. Just remember, as with anything, there are ups and downs to consider.

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout

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@Lookout
a pedigree better than mine!

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2 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

...even owned a pure breed dog. Most of my pets were given to me or rescued from the pound.

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

@Lookout @Lookout
Although the breed or non-breed of the puppy that was abandoned in the woods is uncertain. The vet thought she was a lab/German Shepard mix. The only thing non-lab was a white patch (blaze?0 on her chest and rather curly hair. I have since seen labs with the blaze. And big black lab looking dogs with semi-curly hair. Soooo. "It's a puppy!" with the same meaning as "Who cares? It's a baby!". My first two dogs were from litters with every puppy looking different. The last was from a family that said "the mother is a mixed breed and the father is a stranger in the night".

EDIT:
I called her my Virginia Chicken Hound. Lived 17 years. Very mild mannered except for chickens. When she saw a live chicken she would do her wolf imitation with ears laid back, back hairs raised, tail straight back, eyes glinting , mouth snarling. The chickens recognized it and went berserk.

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2 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

we've had a few walk ons...but it seems they mostly wander on after a year or two. Interesting...perhaps some animals have a wandering nature?

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3 users have voted.

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

ggersh's picture

Don Meredith captures the theme about empire perfectly.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtGxusvUT3k]

I'm sorry for your loss of Ellie.

stay safe everyone!

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7 users have voted.

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

That's about it. This administration same as the last..a little more war and a few more blasts.

Hope y'all are warming up and getting a little better weather!

Thanks for the condolences, We feel lucky to have enjoyed Ellie for as long as we did.

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10 users have voted.

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

smiley7's picture

unconditional love creatures give us helps all of us along the journey.

Mushrooms under the apple trees, perfect in metaphor and nutrient sharing. Cool beans.

Have a good one ...

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Lookout's picture

@smiley7

Nice to "see" you today. Hope all is well in your world!

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4 users have voted.

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

River Rover's picture

Look for her in the eyes of
all the cats you meet -
sometimes they
find you again.
life doesn’t
last - love
does

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Rivers are horses - and kayaks are their saddles

Lookout's picture

@River Rover

I've been hearing her...or think I did.. and look at the door to make sure. Auditory hallucinations.

Thanks for the poem!

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9 users have voted.

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

magiamma's picture

Thanks for the ww. Sorry about your cat. Our cats live long lives in our hearts. My best teachers were and are cats. Seriously. I have learned patience, to listen, to talk in pictures, and so, so much more.

Got my second jab Friday and had a loopy time of it. Now I am fine. Gone now - sore arm, tired, chills, at one point for a short time nausea, light headed. I get how people can become so unmotivated when you have no energy. Everyone I have talked to says they are fine a day after. An immune response it good. So there's that.

Those who thought Biden would be not Biden, I ask you how can you be surprised. I am just happy tRump is gone. Small things are better. The rest remains to be seen. Particularly the climate issues. Someone pointed out to me yesterday that those who are 15 years and younger will have a hard ride ahead. So whatever else passes, climate is and should be the number one issue. I am holding my judgement on how this administration deals with the climate issues. It is young yet and there is shit to hit the holy fan in that department, imho. And yes, it does appear that we are at the end of empire. Shame that is has to take everything out with it - Meaning the planet. But we are humans, homo sapiens sapiens. Does not bode well for good outcomes. Right?

Thanks, lo, as always, for your continued perseverance in filling my Sunday mornings with reading matter for the rest of the week and more. Good on ya. Take the best care. And everyone, be well.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Lookout's picture

@magiamma

Hope all's well on your home front. Glad the vaccine reaction was minor. All I had after the first shot was a sore arm. Still over a week till the second.

Hoping for the good rain predicted for tonight to water in newly added mushroom spawn. Saved out a bit to add to the food forest.

Take care and have a good week!

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

ggersh's picture

@magiamma

up
9 users have voted.

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

magiamma's picture

up
7 users have voted.

Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

usefewersyllables's picture

once told us years ago, when it was time to help one of our critters cross the Bridge,

"The price of love is grief."

Yes. Yes it is. But I cherish every minute that we had with those critters, and I know in my heart of hearts that we gave every last one of them the best lives they could have had. We outlive our critters, we mourn our critters when they go, and every one of them teaches us a little more that makes us more human...

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Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Lookout's picture

@usefewersyllables

...is pretty good advice in general.

Thanks for your kind comment. OPOL created this graphic...

Lennon fro peace_2.jpg

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11 users have voted.

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

Ellie, tri-colored and so fluffy..condolences on the loss of both pets.

You are not the only one to be on a pet break. After my husband died and our dog and 3 cats followed him eventually, I found myself enjoying the solitude. Definitely No on a third husband. A single dog and/or 2 related kitties are but a distant possibility.

Much to the amazement of my family.

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10 users have voted.

NYCVG

Lookout's picture

@NYCVG

her fluffiness. He often took care of her when we traveled.

We're looking forward to being foot loose and fancy free to travel...at least for a while.

I glad you're enjoying your pet break.... sure is quieter.

All the best!

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9 users have voted.

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

@NYCVG
A dog is always glad to see you.

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6 users have voted.

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

Thanks for Ellie, Lookout. Good kitty. I often think animals are people and vice versa, I remember them just the same. Love to all.

Yesterday the first poppy appeared in the dirt patch.
poppy2.jpg

And today it lost its hat.
poppy3.jpg

So spring has arrived here although it is still too cold for bees, and the dirt needs more warming up before planting next years mole crop. heh

I read that Bolinas, the little town near Stinson Beach is already rationing water this year. It's only a few hundred people with a small system and they are used to rationing, but February seems earlier than usual to me. It's really dry all over. Good luck.

Peace and Love

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10 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@eyo

I was surprised to hear the meteorologist say SW AL was borderline droughty.
drought_0.png

Looks like much of the country is in drought. I hate to see it.

Glad to see your poppy!

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8 users have voted.

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

magiamma's picture

@eyo
On Friday's trip over the hill the Lexington Reservoir was dry on the upside of 17. Like only a stream. And for this time of year that is very dry. Nicht gut. On the way back got caught in traffic and got a good look at the underbrush. Dry. fuck.

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8 users have voted.

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The Liberal Moonbat's picture

From that which really matters to that which really shouldn't, then - something resembling good news on the IdPoNeo-Racism front:

https://www.rt.com/usa/516508-chinese-letter-critical-race/

Direct link to their statement...:
https://nebula.wsimg.com/9499c73d959b9f49be9689476a990776?AccessKeyId=45...

...and their homepage:
http://www.cacagny.org/

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8 users have voted.

In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.

Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!

Lookout's picture

@The Liberal Moonbat

But what little I heard was CA based. Here's a story from CO I just found...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/02/27/asian-hate-crimes-...
So perhaps it is a wide spread targeting? It's black folk that bear the violence and injustice burden here.

Guess we're just a hate "others" culture. Thanks for the links.

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5 users have voted.

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

The Liberal Moonbat's picture

@Lookout Are you saying that story is about Afro->Oriental violence? If so, I can't spot the part that mentions it.

Here's one that definitely does: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Dirty-secret-of-black-on-A...

Jews, too!: https://www.investigativeproject.org/8240/black-on-jewish-violence-marks...

There's no question that this new wave of NewSpeak that completely turns the definition of "racism" inside-out and the despicably Orwellian meme of "privilege" is telling people to think in ways that lead directly to this: The Gospel of Envy and the politics of despair and powerlessness. It is racism, it is hatemongering, and those espousing it are as bad as or worse than "conventional" racists, and should be treated as such.

Makes you wonder how Ao Oni ever expects to win another election again: It's obliterating the post-racial alliance that has defined it ever since FDR.

At this point there's no telling whatsoever what 2024 will look like...but it might just be the first time I ever vote Republican in a federal election. Not too long ago, it seems there was literally every reason to vote Blue...but one by one, they've spitefully torched every. Single. Tent-peg.

"I'M NOT DONALD TRUMP!" Declared the wealthy-born, racist, vulgar, petty, senile, brazenly corrupt, wantonly-cruel, cop-enabling, abortion-banning, hate-spewing, bomb-dropping, lying bullying torturing sex-criminal plutocrat-theocrat-kakistocrat [What AM I missing???]

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7 users have voted.

In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.

Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!

Lookout's picture

@The Liberal Moonbat

about Asians. Had not looked at your links. Sorry for the confusion.

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3 users have voted.

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

Pluto's Republic's picture

@Lookout

...on Asian-Americans reported around the country since the pandemic began. The US justice department is finally getting involved, but they won't be looking at the real perpetrators. These attacks are responses inspired by the brainwashing that Americans received at the hands of the State Department and the Media. Part of the US war footing is convincing Americans to blame China for the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. US domestic propaganda has also filled people's heads with rage over China's theft of US Intellectual property, and their theft of jobs stolen from the American people. (By the way, what has the US invented in the past 20 years that was actually stolen by China? Technology breakthroughs and productivity have come from the East, not the West.

Of course this hate was inflamed by Pompeo's final nasty smear of China before leaving the White House. It is a completely fictitious and ugly screed about the Uyghurs in Xinjiang being imprisoned or turned into slaves. The picture Pompeo painted is exactly the opposite of what is going on there. However, the the Five Eyes — especially the UK press — have continued the smear, unabated. Not one of them has ever sent reporters to visit Xinjiang and confirm the preposterous story they tell. Xinjiang is open to visitors from all over the world. Several delegations from the UN and dozens of foreign delegations have visited and called on the Uyghur community. in fact Xinjiang was China's Number One tourist destination in 2020 — a first that surprised everyone.

A glass skywalk was erected over Uyghur rice fields so that tourists can view how Uyghurs like to decorate their fields with the different varieties of rice they grow. Photo taken at Nadaqiniru Township of Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Sadat)

Xinjiang province was the location of China's final great push to lift all of its rural people out of poverty. The Uyghurs are one of 30 protected ethnic groups in the region, but they are a particular success story. Many have move from the farming community to the nearby town, because there was not enough work opportunities. They have since developed new skills and found employment, some have started businesses. Meanwhile, the family farms were modernized and hooked up to reliable water supplies and electricity. China brought in railways and opened new markets for the farmers. The average household incomes of the Uyghurs has more than doubled. Their population has nearly doubled in the past decade, as well. (So much for genocide.)

Islam has been practiced in China for more than 1,500 years and their religious freedom is written in China's constitution. China has more than 40,000 mosques, a higher concentration for Muslims than in many parts of the Middle East. There are 25,000 mosques in Xinjiang, alone, and many of these were completely renovated during 2020 push for personal economic security throughout the province.

China has finally started to push back on these smears, since they realized that the US wouldn't stop the lying propaganda, with or without Donald Trump in the White House. It's how the State Department rolls. The rest of the world is wise to it and are making formal statements. So, I've been lending a hand to expose the lies and brainwashing in the US, when I can.

So sorry to hear about your kitty, Lookout.

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7 users have voted.

____________________

The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato
Lookout's picture

@Pluto's Republic

with China...or Russia. If history repeats, we will. Been thinking about Kubrick's Strangelove lately. I hope I'm wrong.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuP6KbIsNK4]

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7 users have voted.

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

@Pluto's Republic Great info to have Pluto. Will be sure to pass it along to anyone interested.

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8 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Pluto's Republic's picture

@on the cusp

I don't know if Americans will actually get the message, but they will at least be confronted with ore than one reality.

I have an essay on the Uyghur smear that I might post this week. It's a little easier to follow.

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7 users have voted.

____________________

The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato

@Pluto's Republic We need the truth.

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6 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Lookout's picture

@Pluto's Republic

for your essay
https://thegrayzone.com/?s=China+Uyghur

The folks at the grayzone have been doing a good job covering the China propaganda. That's where I've learned what little I know.

I'll look forward to your piece (if you have time and inclination).

All the best!
Had not thought about the ramifications of T-rump's "China" flu comments.

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5 users have voted.

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

magiamma's picture

There is a good Beckwith video on new findings that have big implications for tipping points. Worth watching

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgF8Krun7Jw]

Here is the overview from PHYS.ORG:
https://phys.org/news/2021-02-arctic-ocean-shelf-ice-freshwater.html

Here is the paper:
The Arctic Ocean was covered by a shelf ice and filled with freshwater
https://phys.org/news/2020-12-climate-rapidly-sea-ice-decline.html

Here is a definition of uranium-thorium dating:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium%E2%80%93thorium_dating

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8 users have voted.

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Lookout's picture

@magiamma

is interesting. Thanks for the link I'll check it out.

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6 users have voted.

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

It takes me a very long time to get past the death of one of my pets. I still have these horrid thoughts about the loss of my last 2 horses.
I am taking what will likely be a permanent break from pets. I can't tolerate outliving another one.
I donate to local rescue charities, feed strays, do love everyone else's pets. I had a cat show up at the office 10 years ago, and she is still with me. She does the occasional office Distract yourself with fun things, and always remember all the good she brought to your life.

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6 users have voted.

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Lookout's picture

@on the cusp

Yes the loss is not fun, but the shared life makes it worthwhile. Enjoy your office cat while you can. Sorry about your horses. It is easy become attached to them.

Hope your weather has improved and your plumbing is in some state of repair. We've got to face up to a new hot water heater. Thinking about going with an on-demand system this time around. We have solar preheated water as the feed.

Well all the joys of home maintenance are constant. Have a great week.

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4 users have voted.

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

I haven't had a chance to dive in and read much of it yet but am looking forward to it later in the week.

I'm sorry about your Ellie passing on. It sounds as if you had a wonderful fifteen-year long companion. I know you will miss her. The pictures you posted of her are very nice. I do especially like the one where she and the dog are snoozing.

Hope you have good gardening weather on the horizon. Take care.

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3 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@randtntx

Yes, thanks, good weather is on the horizon. A cool rain today and tomorrow then sun and warming. We seeded lettuce and greens last week, and have young broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, collards, kale, etc to plant out. Then we'll start seeds for summer crops like tomatoes and peppers. Always something!

Have a great week!

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3 users have voted.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

I can only send a picture, but hope it helps:

20190621_160400

be well and have a good one

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3 users have voted.

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

Medication...calms the mind.

Thanks.

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3 users have voted.

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

magiamma's picture

@Lookout

medication !

Lol

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2 users have voted.

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