Saturday Open Thread 4/6/24: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people!
Another week to reflect upon, noting most things are worse, few things (if any) are better, compared to last week.
As I write this, I have not read the mountain of info joe in Friday night's ebs about Blinken, whether WWIII has actually started, accidentally might start, or is planned in advance to start. Please give us your thoughts on that topic, as it has to be the top concern of us all. No election, no economic crash, no pandemic comes close to the incredible horrors and devastating impact on humanity of a global conflict.
Let's do an inflation check, shall we?
- regular gas $3.20 per gal. *one convenience store is selling for $3.13. They do not maintain their underground tanks well, and water in the fuel has been a big problem in the past.
- Folger's Columbian Coffee (9.6 oz.) $4.99
- 5 lb. bag russet potatoes $3.69
- loaf of Mr.s Baird's bread $3.89
- Oak Farms whole milk (gal.) $5.99
- ground chuck beef (under 2 .lbs.) $5.25 per lb. (over 2 lbs) $4.98 per lb.
- doz. eggs $3.79
How does this compare to your locale? These are my local grocery store chain items, not a bargain store, and not store brand items. These are name brand.
I picked out some travel pictures. Hope you enjoy them.
I was so fortunate to see as much of the world as I did. Getting out of the US is as informative about how everyone else has lived and thrived and really changed and enriched my life.
Most travelers go to the touristy coast of Mexico, but I wanted to go to the interior.
The first two pictures are about the indigenous tribe that protested, held their ground, supported AMLO, who helped erect the statue that honored their tradition.
The third picture is from a lookout point of Copper Canyon. Copper Canyon is the south end of the canyon that runs all the way to The Grand Canyon.
Most travelers go to the touristy coast of Mexico, but I wanted to go to the interior, get a feel for culture and history, rather than beach and Margaritas. I got it in spades. I met indigenous protesters. Peaceful, and persistent. I never think of Mexico as so many people do. I think of the country as forward moving, respectful of their people and culture, and doing their best to tamp down gangs. They are trying harder to prevent crimes than we are in the US.
My favorite Mexican traditional song, which I first heard in San Antonio on the River Walk:
I will leave it at that, welcome you to add whatever ideas and info you have that you wish to share, and guarantee we will all appreciate it so much!
Let 'er rip!
Comments
Good morning!
Hope the coffee is good, and no hangovers!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Vote shaming
Good morning, gj
Pass that along to Hillary, Ms. "get over yourselves!"
Enjoy your weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning otc. Always wanted to check out
Copper Canyon, but never got there. Most of my Mexico time is Coastal or nearby, but not so much for the margaritas as for the nature and history/local culture. More readily accessible, too. Furthest inland was in the Yucatan, but that's technically largely Belize and Maya, not Toltec or Aztec.
I was gonna go full mariachi with this, but I can't resist Flaco and Freddie.
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 --
If you have visited the Grand Canyon,
you will be disappointed with Copper Canyon. It is wide, the widest in the world. That gives space for people to live at the bottom, and they even have small ranches and farms. It is remarkable for it's configuration, but not visually stunning.
We did get in some ocean time on the trip, had a dolphin tour.
We did tours of Mayan ruins, visited some museums. We stayed a couple of nights in a fancy resort, were treated to a great Mariachi band.
The theory we were told as to the demise of the Mayans was due to the elites fanatically keeping the secrets of their success in getting rich, art and literature, medicine, and agriculture and animal husbandry, and they also kept closely congregated. The 99% lived primitively, scattered, moved on or died out. Let's see...where else is this happening? Hmmm...
I had plans to do a colonial tour of deep interior Mexico, but COVID caused a cancellation.
We also visited an Amish settlement. Strange, but true.
Glad you popped in for a chat, friend.
And the young accordionist in The Mavericks is on his way to out Flaco-ing Flaco!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I've definitely seen the Grand Canyon. For something
different try the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, quite spectacular in its own way.
Theories as to the Maya's decline and collapse seem to change fairly often, I suspect that various forces were at work with different ones predominating in different areas.
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 --
I might try your canyon rec, pal!
We will never know for certain what killed off the Mayans.
That is so unfortunate. We might have learned something to keep us from disappearing.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
How to coup a country
Nobody does satire better than the Brits.
Good to see young Brits carrying on the tradition.
I will have time for a full viewing of the video this afternoon.
Appreciate some humor!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Two versions of the same story but only one is credible the
other is propaganda.
The rest of the tweet:
You have to be
an internet detective to find the truth anymore.
Out proxies have figured out, thanks to Tik Tok, that we can't believe what they say, but choose to believe what we see. With that in mind, they
now make sure we "see the right things".
Once again, your Xes are always so damn interesting! Bring 'em on, pal!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
We are being
sold, and we (as a society) uncritically accept, whatever lies we are fed.
I object. I choose not to go quiet into that good night. No. Not in my name, not with my tacit agreement; not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
I am no longer a member of this society, clearly. I simply wait for my “betters” to discharge my culpability in their adventures by the simple expediency of killing us all. It’d save me the trouble of getting obliterated for having the wrong opinion and trying to oppose them, I suppose. But it seems like the hollowest of all hollow victories, dunnit? Dead one way, dead the other, mezza mezza.
I have no positive ideas to contribute.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
It appears that after Israel's unprecedented bombing of the of
the Iranian embassy in Damascus it seems as if a new trend has begun!
Despite Diplomatic premises are considered “inviolable” under the Vienna treaties and local law enforcement agencies are not allowed to enter without the permission of the ambassador.
Rules are only
for the little people.
I am constantly pleasantly surprised by AMLO. I did not believe he would stand up as tall and strong as he does.
He has really earned my admiration.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
So Yellin is yelling at the Chinese
-
to play by US rules? Don't think that will fly.
Basically admitting US can't compete with their betters. Oh well. We knew that.
https://www.rt.com/news/595522-us-yellen-warning-china/
“Talking up ‘Chinese overcapacity’ in the clean energy sector also smacks of creating a pretext for rolling out more protectionist policies to shield US companies... After all, it is now known by the world that Washington will not hesitate to show its protectionist teeth under the guise of national security in areas where its supremacy is challenged,” the authors of a Xinhua report remarked.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240406/us-slammed-for-fearmongering-by-talkin...
What trash talk!
China is a market hog, or something like that.
my guess is that China will overtake us as the No. 1 economy much sooner than 2035.
I would love to be a fly on the wall, listening to the Chinese responding to Yellen in those meetings.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I've been listening to anti-China trash for some time
I made the mistake of listening to the congressional hearing from the IndoPacCom and USFK commanders along with some guy named Ratner. The exceptionalism, xenophobia, and arrogance was insufferable. The anti-China message is pervasive in the west, the East Asian occupied US satellites, Taiwan media, and from the Indian media. We also had the big move to get rid of TikTok. Danny Haiphong had a live video presentation today on all the militarist anti China crap coming out recently. I guess Yellen is done yellin' or was it scolding? Our "leaders" are out of their minds.
When I saw this thread on Carl Zha's twitter feed, I was amused and engaged simultaneously. It was about this song, 今生缘 Jin Sheng Yuan, which is several years old apparently, which had gone viral on tiktok. I can see why.
Here's a link below to a youtube version of the song I interpret as Destiny in this Life, with the English lyrics. I like this google translation of the title best oddly enough. But I checked the etymology on Uncle Hanzi and I think it's right. There is a similar conundrum with one of my favorite South Korean songs Fate, which is really about relationships. I enjoyed reading many of the innumerable comments below this Chinese video. I think this is the main danger, thinking of Chinese as human beings like ourselves. What a novel idea treating others like human beings.
The youtube channel won't let me link to the author's translation of the lyrics into English which is pretty good I think. She's entitled to the benefit of her work product. So I'll just put the link.
[ENG SUB] 今生缘 Jin Sheng Yuan (Affinities Of This Life) - 川子
My son's family visited with us today. Enjoyed seeing my grandchildren, it's had been well over a year. Saw them at my daughter's home, at the time we didn't have a home.
Thanks for the Odds and Ends OTC.
語必忠信 行必正直
I will listen to the music
this afternoon. Much appreciate you giving us the links.
I am so disgusted by our interference with China, and all our bellicose threats. It is contemptible, chest puffing, hand wringing bull shit. We have no functioning navy. Our Army and Marines are way low in numbers. We cannot pull this off.
While I have issues with the CCP's absolute control of its' society, I respect that they are what they are.
One day, our military will turn on their commanders.
I am happy your family came to visit, and that you had some grandpa time!
Take good care, friend.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Mid grade gas today is $4.10
.
Both cars use mid grade and that’s a lot of money. I haven’t driven the beast for weeks cuz the battery won’t hold a charge or the alternator to dying. Both cars need registration and both have gone up. $90 bucks for a 24 year old car? Ridiculous! Used to cost $65 a week at the store and now it’s well over a hundred. Property taxes have gone up too. How anyone making minimum wage is surviving in this economy is beyond me, but shitlibs are telling me that Biden’s economy is going swell and that we are much better off than 4 years ago. BS.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
it is possible, in some areas of the Hawaiian islands.
In HI it is possible.
But it is deeply humiliating for the ones, who have to survive like that.
I can't imagine
the minimum wage giving anyone security in food and housing. Rent for 1 month exceeds monthly minimum wage income virtually everywhere in the country.
Unless you are an illegal immigrant, of course.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Sadly I think that it will only get worse as Iran has yet to
retaliate for the attack on its embassy in Damascus.
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/oil-rises-further-as-middle-east-tensions-pu...'s%20diplomatic%20compound%20in%20Syria.
One could assume this is planned
- US strategic reserves down
- Russian output sanctioned
- OPEC production down
- Venezuela output restricted (the Treasury license that broadly restored dealings
with Venezuela's oil industry would be allowed to expire on April 18)
- Russian refineries bombed
- Iran refineries bombed
- US exporting more oil than importing (mostly from short-lived fracking)
Agreed
It’s like when Biden was bitching about gas prices whilst he was sanctioning Venezuela and Iran and now Russia. Plus Ukraine keeps bombing the oil fields against Biden’s wishes, but they get their targeting information from Biden. I’m tired of the gaslighting!
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
I read that yesterday
and it’s why I filled up today before it goes up again. It’s gone up 50 cents in a month because they are switching over to summer gas we are told. But it’s been proven that companies are price gauging just because they can. Same with grocery prices. I bet no one in congress has pumped their gas or bough groceries in decades. They have staff that does it for them and besides when you’re rich you don’t have to compare prices.
Read today that if congress passes the $60 billion for Ukraine more than half of it goes to the defense congressional industries complex. Plus more $$$ from insider trading. We ain’t being served, we’re being robbed. Just wish there was a way to fix this shitshow.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
To me it seems there are a lot of odds but no ends/nt
Endless odds?
I have been discouraged by others from visiting HI because of the high costs for seemingly all basics. I would never pay $60 for a McDonalds combo of burger/fries/drink.
Interesting that a person on minimum wage could survive there.
Being that poor is humiliating everywhere in the US. The respect we give others seems to be based upon their net worth.
Meanwhile, every billionaire on the planet under the age of 30 got their money through inheritance. They are lucky, not smart, not productive.
Hope you are in good health and fine fettle, mimi.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hillary got the welcome that she deserves. LOL
Worth a view!
Brave Hillary,
scurrying away.
Good on the protesters. Would loved to have been with them.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I judge from experiences my son's went through
@ OTC
My son got seduced through the wonderful nature and the friendliness he was welcomed, He is now in his 16Th year and it has been changing as well (for the worse).
We are poor and we will definitely never be able buy some land in Maui. Without a piece of land, you become a slave of those who have land. Those who have land, inherited it from their families.
Why would you eat something from McDonald's ? If you are lucky enough to be able to rent an apartment, you just cook. Many fruits to pick for free directly from the trees. And you can grow vegetable in your front yard
What more can you ask for?
Gardening in HI is a blessing. ... Coconuts are available....
If I will make it to Maui to reunite with my son before I die you you are invited ...could be that he lost his job and work apartment, well you just have to live with that too ... and sleep in a tent, we will make sure to entertain you while my son and his buddies making music and singing along.
Be well, friend !
I will come!
I do not eat fast food here on the mainland, unless it is a transit issue, no other choice.
My friends with time share condos in HI do their own cooking, and are astonished by grocery store prices. I may love fruit, but at some point, off to a grocery store I go. Everything on the shelves has been shipped from many miles away. A very close friend stayed there in a time share at no cost, spent a small fortune for food, making it one of her most expensive trips she ever took, and she traveled the world.
I visited Easter Island and got initiated into the exorbitant cost of everything shipped to the island.
Mimi, you need to figure out some way to visit your son. Cheapest air fare, cheapest seat, weird flight departure times, layovers, because every hardship is worth giving him a hug, a kiss, and listening to his music.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I try my best, and you bring the love of your life with you !
it is 6:10 am in my woods and I should work on getting some sleep. Good night.We will see us!
I will go nowhere without
TLOML.
I want to expand a bit on the McDonald's example. A friend in my community went to HI for 2 months to do some contract labor for his boss. He was provided a condo for free. On his way to get settled in, he went through the drive thru to grab a bite. What cost $10 at home cost $60 there. The price shock of everything was his biggest takeaway from his time in HI.
Another friend taught summer school in a remote HIan community. She said the native HIans hated and distrusted everyone from the mainland. She was unable to make friends. She also saw the mistreatment of natives by the rich, who treated them like slaves. Very few middle class people live there. They tend to congregate with each other, have little contact with natives.
It does not sound like Paradise to me. The culture into which your son has immersed himself is what TPTB wish to eradicate. I would not last long in that environment.
Just let me know your travel plans, ok?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I myself have spent almost no time in HI
there are basically three things to like, the people, the nature and the music. Well I have nothing much to say. I prefer he lives at the place he loves and not in a current European urban environment.
We both are a little stressed out and I don't want that to happen. It is almost midnight here. we will chat again.
As a child he had to cross the Atlantic very often, with PANAM, HE read their magazine during the time he was flying and found in that magazine pictures of some beautiful tropical island. I guess through that Magazine he developed a love for tropical islands. this was in the 1970-ies to early eighties.
I need t0 sleep. It is midnight here. Til next time.
I wonder if Blinken will send his congratulations to the victor
in the Slovakian Presidential election?
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/ally-of-russia-friendly-leader-wins-presiden...
Awesome news
and awesome attitude.
I wish I had spent more time in Slovakia. I now wish to return.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
My taste of globe hopping was brief, but profound for me.
In 1974, I spent 6 weeks in Paris, working as an itinerant timber framer building a loft and spiral staircase in a well to do family’s townhouse. French carpenters are mainly only familiar with trim work as structural work is (was) mainly masonry or stone. Evenings and weekends I roamed the city on a moped, soaking up as many free classical music concerts as I could find and visiting tourist attractions.
My host family included me like family, including a Sunday in the Loire valley at their ancestral estate. The multi course meal was incredible, ending with the men retiring to the salon with fine liquor and a cigar.
Two days later, I was in Peru with a friend and a photographer, who was there to give a workshop. Although the bulk of the time we were housed in a well to do suburb on the outskirts of Lima we took several photography outings in remote rural areas. My friend and I were so intrigued by these outings that we extended our stay a week after the photographer returned home. I had to sell my camera to pay for my flight to Cusco and a train to Machu Picu. It was one of the most amazing weeks of my life.
The rural indigenous people we were among for that extra week were poor to be sure, economically. But other aspects of their lives were clearly rich in other far more important ways. Their essential being was manifested in many ways that reflected back on my ‘western’ lifestyle in ways that touched me to the core, revealing to me my own inner poverty. These ‘poor’ rural people were vastly more connected to the world they inhabited and far more generous and open from their hearts.
My friend and I had purchased ‘First Class’ seats in the Cusco train, but ended up crowding in to the third the class car when we heard the joyful music of pan flutes and laughter! Best train ride evah!
“What the herd hates most is the one who thinks differently; it is not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.”
-Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
Ah, the train...
The first time I made a trip to Machu Picchu, I was enthralled by the gentle rocking as it rolled along. In my tour group, almost half of the crowd was suffering from altitude sickness. They spent their time in the bathroom, or in line hoping they could get to it before a bowel eruption. At least 5 of them had to see a doctor.
On the second ride, a young, very handsome man was sitting near me. Seems he had just finished his tour of duty in the Army, and was discharged. He wanted to ex-pat to Peru, was meeting friends to check out where they might live. Well, he had cold beer in his back pack. He offered one to me. Of course, not to be rude, I accepted it. And the next. And the next. He then took me to the "bar", bought us some more, as we didn't want to get dehydrated. As he took me by the hand, my fellow travelers were whistling, yelling "Hey, you go, girl!"
I loved Paris, was not in love with Parisians, and the feeling was mutual. The best time was getting away from Paris to see the sights.
You were in 2 places that all world travelers have at the top of their bucket lists.
And pal, they sell cameras all over the place. I am sure you do not miss selling yours one single bit!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I remember standing in a very long line for pastries
at a Parisian shop, behind an American with a cowboy hat. When his turn to order came, he belligerently barked out of his order, in ENGLISH. The counter server could not make heads or tail out of it. Perhaps it was the Texas drawl. The American walkout in a huff, empty handed.
I was next. Having only barely passed Middle School ALM French, I expected a similar fate. I wracked my brain and struggled to convey the item I was interested in. My completely garbled effort got an instant reply. The counter person stated, in crystal clear English, “I speak English. I just hate it when a tourist customer assumes I speak their language.”
You should have seen me at the local hardware, a daily event, trying to order some lag bolts or lock washers or whatever. All the employees came out to watch as I drew pictures, pantomimed, gestured and wielded my toddler level verbal French skills. Everybody got a good laugh out of my performance, including myself. They were more friendly and helpful than any of their American counterparts that I had known.
Fifty years on, it may now be quite different from my recollections, but I hope not. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
“What the herd hates most is the one who thinks differently; it is not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.”
-Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
I had a lovely time with any and all locals
outside the Paris city limits. The attitude was completely different, very welcoming.
I had a list of 10 basic words and phrases, can't imagine what the French with a distinct Texas drawl must have sounded like to the Parisians.
My travel mate did not agree with me about a dress code for us. She derssed like a school teacher on vacay, which she was, in ruffled pink and yellow blouses, pink tennis shoes, that sort of thing. She screamed, "American tourist". I stuck with plain slacks, plain shirts, all black, white, grey, or beige. Slippers, no tennis shoes. With a string of pearls. If I went into a shop without her, I was treated well. With her, we would be last to be seated, last to be served, last to be presented with the bill", the least appealing table.
I went with group to China. We broke for an "own your own", lunch with no guide. I selected from the menu using the pictures, hoped for the best. One couple wanted tea. The man actually sang and acted out "I'm a little teapot, yes I am", and they brought him tea with a big smile.
I gave this same advice to a friend who was taking her Mom to London, with a planned day trip to Paris. She had an ap to help her with French, and they followed the dress code. They had no issues, but observed people in sweats and Nikes being treated very rudely. This was about 5 years ago, so it is still a Parisian thing.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981