@QMS
It figures. The strike needs to get bigger, angrier, and longer. Probably not gonna happen, at least yet.

I too have not been biking like I want this year. I'm sorry we are basically in the same boat, although my problems are probably more emotional than physical at this time. Gads, I hope your physical failures can be repaired enough to bike again. I really miss my Dad when biking. We used to ride bikes together so much. I'm trying to inspire myself by watching the videos about biking and travel and such. Hubby likes them too, so maybe... maybe we can start up again with biking.

On the strikes portion, I read this morning the auto companies are bringing in scabs
to keep the parts distribution business working. The unions are angry.

On the bikes front, I'm embarrassed to say I have not ridden my bike at all this
summer. The physical failures are preventing me from enjoying one of my favorite
activities. Have seen many municipalities proactively establishing biking right-of-ways
which is encouraging. Fort Collins is one example.

Fort Collins is a Platinum-rated Bicycle Friendly Community and maintains more than 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes and 50 miles of marked or signed bike routes.

https://www.fcgov.com/bicycling/fort-collins-bike-network

Thanks for keeping your goats dry!

@soryang
That hurt to watch. My mouth is hanging open, stunned. National Embarrassment indeed!

Ok, it made me laugh too, in disbelief! Thanks for posting it

Blinken is a national embarassment. This is cringe. https://t.co/JrEGZmFwvq

— Tim Shorrock (@TimothyS) September 28, 2023

In his presentation to CSIS "experts" on the Korea's a couple of days ago, Blinken talked about Kim Jong-un's recent visit to "Moscow."

@on the cusp @on the cusp
That will rock! The closest they are coming to where I am at is hours and hours away. They are opening for Dwight Yoakam. I want to go, I love Dwight almost as much as I love the Mavericks! But hubby really dislikes Dwight (I dunno why!?!?!?! ) and we've not got someone who can take care of Jaska if we were to go if I could convince hubby. So, maybe next year. I can hope!

Did the busy day go smoothly? Hope so, hope so. I wanted to get a motorbike when I was a teenager. My father refused. He'd had one when younger, and just didn't want me to get road rash. Mind you, falling off pedal bikes also gives road rash, as I well know!

Have a great weekend!

I hope to score tickets to ring in the New Year with the Mavericks at Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall. Will know if we get tickets by noon tomorrow.
I switched from bicycle to motorbike when I was 9, haven't spent 5 minutes on a bike since then.
Busy day ahead, secretary is home ill, with a child that is also ill. Strep throat. It seems to be a constant presence in the local schools.
Stay well, all, have some fun today!
Thanks for the OT, Sima!

@Enchantress
Jobs that are hard on the body and the joints, but at least there's health care and pensions and such. My grandfathers, one a truck driver and one an electrician, had the same.

Yea, I can't see the union workers voting for Biden. No matter what the union leaders do/say. BTW thanks for telling a bit of your family history with the UAW. It's cool!

If I'm ever out near Makinaw Island again, I'm doing it! Riding my bike!

Originally from Michigan. Dad, now 89 years old worked at G.M. He was a journeyman mechanic. After all the big layoffs in the 1980's, the factory started letting workers move into middle management positions. He became a parts buyer. Got to wear real slacks and a button up shirt. Retired after 33 years, at age 63 because union benefits paid for health insurance for two years after retirement.

Older brother also worked at G.M. factory in Warren, MI. After layoffs, had to take job at Toledo. OH. Told me that 6 of them would take turns driving for several months until they got places down there to live. While moving, rented a U-Haul which had defective brakes. Ended up crashing on I-75. Had to have hip replaced. Lived on Union benefits for the next year, before going back to work for another 10-12 years when screws in hip replacement came loose. Retired with full benefits, due to medical reasons.

Younger brother also worked at same G.M. factory in Warren. When he got called back to work, he got to go back to same factory. Always worked overtime. Had close to 40 years in when Covid happened. He finally retired. Had both knees replaced since.

Younger sister also worked at same G.M. plant. Had to retire due to hip and knee problems after close to 20 years.

This type of work tears up your joints.

If you think that any of these people are going to vote for Biden, you are nuts. No matter how much he panders by walking the picket line.

If you're looking for a place to ride your bike, consider Makinaw Island, no cars are allowed there.

@snoopydawg @snoopydawg
Fain doesn't sell the workers out.

I like your idea of everyone striking, all unions striking, at the same time. The country would be at a standstill in hours, if not minutes.

.
Is there any union that hasn’t sold out its workers? Seems like since Obama if not Clinton the leaders make deals with the corporations to keep the workers from striking. Or if they do then they force them to take much less than what they need. How is this effective?

The efforts by the United Auto Workers bureaucracy to keep 128,000 of its 146,000 members working during its so-called “stand up strike” against the Big Three automakers is generating growing resistance. Inside the non-striking factories, anger is mounting over the increase in line speeds, unjust suspensions and firings of workers who have no protections under expired contracts, and the reduction of hours, particularly for temporary workers already living on the edge of poverty.

Letting’ only 20,000 workers strike while the rest continue to work and bringing no grief to the companies doesn’t seem very effective. Plus the owners are making harsh demands on the workers who aren’t out on strike and FAIN looks like he’s going to sell every worker out just like leaders have been doing for decades.

My idea of a strike that will get the parasite’s attention is for everyone in every industry to strike at the same time.

Maybe someone heard me

On Tuesday September 27, thousands of workers in Culinary Local 226, which covers 60,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada voted by 95 percent to authorize a strike against the casino industry. The vote took place at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Las Vegas Nevada college campus, in what was billed as one of the largest union mass meetings in recent memory.