Welcome to Saturday's Potluck - 1-15-2022

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

As tensions for potential conflict increase by our military and diplomatic blustering people react. Fortunately this time the reaction was to wait and see, not simply to strike out.

Korean missile could hit US, causing temporary scramble

Within minutes, US Northern Command and the Northern American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) dismissed those initial readings and assessed that the missile posed no direct threat to the mainland of the United States. The test weapon -- which sources say was a less maneuverable version of a hypersonic glide vehicle designed to evade missile defenses -- splashed down harmlessly in the sea between China and Japan, thousands of miles away from threatening America.

But in those few moments of uncertainty, the situation escalated quickly enough that the Federal Aviation Administration, which is part of a routine interagency discussion whenever there is a missile launch of this kind, grounded some planes on the West Coast around 2:30 p.m. PST on Monday for about 15 minutes.

The grounding forced air traffic controllers to hold some aircraft on the ground, while briefly diverting others in the air, according to air traffic control recordings, but controllers were at a loss when asked to explain to pilots what had caused the grounding. Some controllers erroneously referred to it as a national ground stop, something which hasn't been seen since 9/11.
The question, now, is what sparked that initial burst of urgency -- and perhaps, why the FAA reacted the way that it did.
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A US official said the ground stop was not communicated through the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center, based in Warrenton, Virginia, and instead went straight to regional centers on the West Coast.

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A favorite link of mine to watch the world.
Earth Wind Map a global view of wind, weather, ocean and pollution conditions

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A link to Flightradar24 a global flight tracking service with real-time information of aircraft around the world.

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After 900 nuclear tests on our land, US wants to ethnically cleanse us’: meet the most bombed nation in the world
Native-American nation's land was turned into a nuclear test site. Now, they suffer from illnesses

'The most nuclear bombed nation on the planet’ is the unwanted accolade claimed by the Shoshone Native American tribe. This has had devastating effects for the community, and RT spoke with one campaigner fighting for justice.

“They are occupying our country, they are stealing our opportunities and we are expected to die because of that. We are still trying to grapple with and understand what happened to us, and find ways to stop it, correct it and prevent it happening in the future.”
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Shoshone land stretches from Death Valley in the Mojave Desert in eastern California to Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. But in 1951 the US started nuclear weapons testing on Western Shoshone territory, at the Nevada Proving Grounds (now known as the Nevada National Security Site). The Shoshone can now lay claim to be the most nuclear-bombed nation on the planet.

Over a period of just over 40 years, there were 928 tests conducted there – around 100 in the atmosphere and more than 800 underground – resulting in nuclear fallout of around 620 kilotons, according to a 2009 study. In comparison, there were 13 kilotons of fallout when Hiroshima was bombed in 1945.
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A prime example of how the Shoshone’s life has been eradicated came in 1971 with the Wild Free-Roaming Horses Act. As Zabarte explained: “Politicians in Washington DC defined our Indian horses as wild and started coming after our ranchers, who have a guaranteed right as hunters or herdsmen under the treaty to have livestock.

“The United States Bureau of Land Management determined our horses, our cows, our livestock were destroying the land. But the land was destroyed by nuclear weapons testing fallout and the United States government blamed the Shoshone people.”
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Despite the obvious sense of injustice, he feels an obligation to warn Americans who live in or go through the Shoshone nation of the danger it presents.

“My grandfather always said, ‘don’t kick up dust’ because of the radioactive fallout. I care for these people because of that treaty of peace and friendship, and have an obligation to provide aid and comfort to other Americans passing through. But I watch them kick up dust in their off-road vehicles and they are quite likely exposing themselves. There is plutonium in a lot of the roofs of their houses, too.”

The key for Zabarte is awareness. The more people know the history of the land and understand the issue, there greater the chance of meaningful action. That could involve providing medical surveillance and advising the next generation how to protect themselves.

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If another country decides to send bomb - these are the most likely targets
Nuclear Target Map

What is on your mind today? (Responses to Covid questions and dialog to be conducted at The Dose diary)

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Lookout's picture

Already drizzling here. Got in a quick trip to Trade Day before it started and bought a couple of tarps...ours are just worn out.

Want to put in another plug for this interview
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfhs3_aKwTY]

Max Blumenthal and geopolitical analyst Pepe Escobar discuss the violent coup attempt in Kazakhstan, and its crucial importance as an ally of Russia and the center of China's Belt and Road Initiative. Pepe addresses US and Turkish meddling, and why this massive and misunderstood country is suddenly at the heart of the new cold war.

They also talk about the failure of the US-Russia talks in Geneva and if war could be on the horizon.

Quite interesting, but I had to take it in 30 minute bites.

A light snow is expected tomorrow. Looks like a more serious event as it goes up the East coast.

Well thanks for the OT, and hope you all have a good day.

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10 users have voted.

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

@Lookout I'm watching Pepe. It is very slow-going, but I'll stick with it.

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4 users have voted.

NYCVG

studentofearth's picture

@Lookout I set aside time on Sat to watch the suggested content. Pepe's depth of knowledge, and Max's ability to ask key questions nearly always either provide facts to confirm information I have come across from other source and/or provide fresh analysis and viewpoints.

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2 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

about minus 13 degrees F with the wind chill factored in
burning lots of wood to stay warmish
birds are voracious, have to re-fill the feeders

The loose policies of the war machine and their 'nuclear option'
is so stupid from a sane humanity perspective
MAD (mutually assured destruction) is an insane solution

how to wrest control away from these generals and their
killing instincts?

Thanks for the OT SoE!
good luck to us

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studentofearth's picture

@QMS than the same degree of cold in calm weather. I add a little fat (tallow) to the bird seed on the coldest days. Dense nutrition.

How to wrest control away from these generals and their
killing instincts?

Somehow as a culture we need to stop worshiping them and their institutions as representative of any god or higher power. The individuals at the very highest of the power structure need to be held accountable to the same human laws as lesser mortals applied to civilians and lower ranked military personnel. There is a 1% problem in the military.

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3 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

soe.
We had windy weather last night. This morning there are a good number of branches down which will need to be chopped up. There is one large-ish branch caught up on other branches and hanging kind of threateningly a short distance from the back door. I don't like it...it brings to mind the sword of Damocles somewhat.

Speaking of of an imminent fall of a precariously positioned sword... the TPTB are that sword. If they decide to turn this planet into a hellscape, there is nothing I can do.

I intend to listen to that Max interview as Lookout has, in bits and pieces. Thanks for the ot. Hope you are well in your part of the country.

Edited to add a ditty from Tom Lehrer who was really good at this sort of thing.

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studentofearth's picture

@randtntx Wind this week knocked down a couple of branches. Need to cut them up and store for next winter's firewood. Fortunately they are on the ground and not hanging above my head while sawing.

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3 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

mimi's picture

Good Day, all. I am not up to do proper research and doubt that I would understand whatever I would find in the medical literature.

I want to know what exactly gout is, why does someone has gout attacks, is gout related to the body's water balance? Is severe incontinence with constant unvoluntary loss of urine related to the development of gout?

Hope that nobody has gout attacks. Hope that you all stay healthy and well and have a good weekend.

And my sincere apologies for this 'piss-poor' question.

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@mimi

treating gout a few weeks ago, something about berries.
That's eating berries, not rubbing them on your feet Wink

Good luck!

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mimi's picture

@QMS
I try to find it.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi
https://www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis/gout/gout-remedies-work/

Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid – a waste product left by dead cells – in the blood, either because your body produces too much or excretes too little. The uric acid eventually crystallizes, forming tiny needles that work into joints, leading to intense pain and swelling.

...some foods – such as organ meats and beer – can increase uric-acid buildup because they contain high levels of compounds called purines, which convert to uric acid in the body. Consuming lots of meat, seafood and alcohol may also increase gout risk.

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Acupuncture had a 93.3% effectiveness rate in alleviating pain, compared to 80% for gout medications like indomethacin and allopurinol, according to a 2009 Chinese study of 60 patients.

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Gout remedies: Cherries
Certain compounds in cherries called anthocyanins can reduce uric acid levels and ease inflammatory pain, according to studies at Tufts and Johns Hopkins Universities. Eat a half cup of fresh cherries a day (dark-colored or “tart” varieties are best as gout remedies) or take cherry supplements, following directions on the package, Wei advises.Gout remedies: Water
Hydration is a gout sufferer’s best friend. Fluids help flush uric acid out of the body and prevent kidney stones – often a risk in people with gout. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day, particularly during gout attacks, Paster says.

I've not had a case of gout since I changed my diet and started fasting. However I used to get occasional flare ups. I started drinking a mixture of apple cider vinegar (6 oz or about 180 mL) and a couple of tablespoons (30 mL) of tart cherry juice when ever I had a flare up.

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout
buy dark cherries in our grocery store. Either they are too expensive or not at all available.

In any case I remembered half of what you wrote way back. Thank you again. I drink a lot of water. Seems directly headed toward 'the exit' Wink

And apologies, I try to post no more 'double questions', if I remember that is. Sigh.

It's weird weather here, as if the snow god and the rain god are constantly in dispute what the 'right' weather should be. The result is mainly bad weather.

Be well and have a good weekend.

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studentofearth's picture

@mimi prevent or treat.

I have not looked at any other page on this site. The other content may not provide the same quality of information.

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2 users have voted.

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

enhydra lutris's picture

temps are moderate, so it must be old age or sumpin. Apple is still covered with leaves but is getting new buds all the same. Daffs have poked their heads up with flowers starting to form. I'm in a weird zone here, something like 10a or such and allegedly should be planting asparagus, pole beans, beets, carrots, cauliflower, kale, pak choy, snow peas, spuds and spinach. For me, that reduces down to carrots. As far as I can tell, I can plant carrots on any damn day of the year and some will come up, weird weather notwithstanding. The same seems to more of less hold for green onion re-starts. I've half decided to try to plant a couple of Portuguese Kale every 2 weeks or so until I either run out of seeds of some come up. Nursery transplants often go gangbusters here, but I've never managed to grow any from seed. Of course I can't even grow pea shoots past the first cutting, or at least the one time I tried they got mildew (in the damn garage to boot).

Too bad NORAD has to freak out, but, truth be told, they get no sympathy from me. Why shouldn't N, Korea (& Iran, & Iraq, etc) have nukes and missiles? We do, France, the UK, Israel, India, Pakistan all do. The world's number one aggressor, far and away is the US, we are constantly bombing, droning, invading, mining harbors and shit like that, all over the globe and have declared N.K. to be a special foe that we are ready and willing to attack at any time without further notice. Until we disarm, everybody on our shit list or who has the potential because they don't let us indirectly run and exploit their country has a legitimate need for such weapons. Iraq, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia and 13 other African nations all lacked nukes and all paid a price for that. Iran too. North Korea, however, hasn't paid the full bombs and troops price, only the sanctions, so what does that imply?

Ah well, Saturday is here. Retired for almost 20 years and Saturday is still somehow a day that I feel compelled to get to work in the yard and shop, bizarre, especially since I spend a lot of time doing so the rest of the week too.

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 --