Saturday Open Thread - 5/18/24 - Odds and Ends

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 7:00am

I managed to wipe out from the face of the cyber space my planned OT, so this is a second try, reasonable facsimile of my masterpiece in my head and the ether net world.

First, a busy week. Weekend will be relaxing, and if I get to go see the zydeco band Sunday, I will post a video next week.

Cops, and you, can use viewfind app on your Iphone, see thru heavily tinted car windows. That tint that makes you feel safe is just to keep the sun out, not necessarily cops, but screw the 4th Am.

The mystery of my spots on my legs might be solved.

Thrips. Bugs.

My local doctor, the one I use for convenience said, fire ant bites, because the Google picture matched one on my 50 spots.

20 years of battling fire ants, I have none, not a single mound, on my property. I have been to an er due to fire ant bites. My smarty pants secretary did a Google search that my smarty pants dr. did not.

And, in the 80s,I went to the Grand Canyon and drove from end to end. Took a second trip via helicopter from Las Vegas in the 2010's. Just before landing after the little fun tour with a picnic lunch on the ridge, winds roared, the Vegas airport closed all outgoing flights, called all on tours copters to come in. We tried to land, blew sideways. Hovered. Again. And again. About the 5th try we hovered without being blown 100 ft sideways, and I am here, and I was happy to step onto the ground. I am not dead!

The following photos are of the Grand Canyon from a helicopter, so apologies if the window glare shows, or if they are a bit blurry. After all, winds shutting down an airport will cause a blur!

Your turn, people!

Let 'er rip!

Tags:

Open Thread

Vote

Comments

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:24am

Good morning, good people!

My first draft had a great video based on something that popped up into my head, and the draft and that particular music went south. Or North. Or...
So, the new thing in my head is this:

Actually, that song brings back memories of so many friends who are no longer with us. They had those beautiful mornings, and we shared them. , Mary, Jeff, Bo, Joy, Butch, Jack, Clifton, Rose Marie, Maggie, Milton, and I could go on.
Let 'er rip!

—

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

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 7:40am

Hey, good morning

-
-
sorry to hear the internet dog ate your homework
hate it when that happens, but your second attempt
is fine!

Found an interesting discussion between Jill Stein and
Michael Hudson on Dialogue Works with Nima Alkhorshid
hosting. About an hour and a quarter with far ranging topics.

This is the printed version if you prefer ..

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/05/dr-jill-stein-michael-hudson-fig...

Thanks for the OT Chica!

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 10:16am

That looks interesting!

@QMS Nima is a great host, Hudson makes economic complexities understandable. It will be look forward to hearing Stein speak of her goals in the race against TPTB, and her goals for the country.
Hope you have a great weekend, my friend.

—

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

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 10:39am

Yes, Jill is fighting the state of NY now

@on the cusp
-
-
to get on their ballot. Her global views are inspiring.
Hudson encourages her optimism.

cheers!

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:04pm

Third and fourth and fifth, etc...,

@QMS parties are so undemocratic, amirite? She will have to fight everywhere. It is just so offensive to me how crooked our elections are. It was always thus, just not as exposed to the naked eye as it is now. At least Stein tries.

—

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

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 6:54pm

Stein

@QMS was way more knowledgeable about foreign policy and economics than I expected.Excellent video, well worth the time.
Thanks so much!

—

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

Submitted by Lookout on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 8:03am

Nice canyon shots....

Glad you made it back safely.

I heard of thrips on onions (one of their few insect issues), but had no idea they could bite humans.

Still a bit rainy here, but next week called to be sunny. We only got 0.3" yesterday. I hope this afternoon's rain is more substantial. It is good to get some soil moisture before the heat of summer.

Sorry you lost your 1st draft. I know the feeling. Hope y'all have a great relaxing weekend. Thanks for the OT!

—

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

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 10:36am

Good morning, LO!

@Lookout Thrips invade gardens and eat vegetation. They do bite humans, but you would not feel it or notice it unless you were allergic to them.
It seems I am forever changed since my bout with COVID in December of 2019. I never had these spots before then, and I did all kinds of outdoor activities. I had a stable with several horses, a riding arena, a yard full of flower beds I put in, vegetable gardens, trees, and on and on. In fact, I planted grass over 6 acres. I stayed outside. These spots started showing up in spring and summer of 2020, and during those seasons since then.
As for the copter flight, I could see the pilot was struggling. After we landed, the winds were so strong, it was tough walking into them.
You can take your turn for rainfall, and have ours. Please. So far, 7 people have died from the flooding in the Houston area. My county was just declared a disaster area, along with several others.
Take good care, my dear friend.

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 10:44am

Whistling past the train wreck of America

A society is reflected in its leaders. And what leaders America 2.0 has! Our political “representatives” are so dedicated to not representing us that every piece of legislation they pass is assumed to be yet another figurative drone strike to the population. I’ve been a political junkie for over fifty years, and I couldn’t tell you when the last law was passed that benefited the People in the slightest way. That’s why libertarianism, and now anarchy, has become popular. The best we can hope for with these beloved statesmen (and stateswomen, and soon to be statetransgenders), is that they do nothing. That we pay them their generous salaries, and give them the lucrative benefits very few of us get, to maybe rape an underage page, or be bribed by a special interest group. Just don’t pass any legislation. Pretty please.

As I wrote recently in depth about, Americans also have to contend with the occupying force of militarized police officers. They are the standing army Thomas Jefferson warned about. They serve no function other than to annoy, harass, and sometimes kill the befuddled citizens who pay them. They are never there when you need them, and are incapable of solving any real crime. They are good at beating people (as long as you are a vulnerable target who represents no danger to them), planting evidence, and lying on their police reports. But people love them. Jolly coppers on parade, as Randy Newman called them long ago. The best you can hope for is to completely avoid any interaction with them. They are upholding the systemic corruption. Doing the bidding of their masters. Guarding the train wreck.

Source

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by Granma on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:12am

That quote

@snoopydawg about the police is a little harsh. They have been there for me several times and I was thankful for it.
Depends on your point of view and experience I think.

Submitted by Granma on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:13am

Too many Duds in the mix.

@Granma

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:45am

Good morning,

@Granma granma!
I am glad you have been helped by cops from time to time.
I have been offered drugs by two cops. One cop made a move to sexually assault me. Our sheriff might get investigated for stealing seized money, since he admitted using some of it, which was evidence in a criminal case, to gamble in Las Vegas.
Recently, I was walking by a parked cop car, thought it was about to drive off, so I stopped, changed directions to get to the door of the convenience store. The cop considered that suspicious behavior, questioned me! (Is it now suspicious to avoid being run over by an auto?)
A local white guy with a prison record was not arrested for carrying a gun. A local black guy was convicted for driving a friend's car to the car wash. There was a gun in the car the guy didn't know about. His friend didn't tell him. He was put on probation for ten years, although his fines and fees were hard to pay, so his probation actually lasted 21 years.
I lost count of local cops who have gone to prison for raping female inmates.
The most bullied kids in public school wind up becoming cops, and spend every minute on duty getting even. Their required psychological exam is given by a NP in internal medicine, takes 2 minutes to complete. The drs.' clinic has a contract with the county and would lose it if any cop failed the test.
I could go on and on, describing cops shooting and killing unarmed "suspects", but that is very graphic and disturbing.
I say, have a good weekend, avoid as much contact with cops as possible!
Take good care, chica.

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:44pm

Watched the news on the campus protests lately?

@Granma

Do you remember what happened in Ferguson or what happened to the OCW protesters nationwide? And of course it doesn’t mean that all cops are bad, but dunno how you can ignore what riot cops do to peaceful protesters when they go against the PTB. Over 2,000 people have been arrested, treated cruelly in custody and many severely injured after committing no crime, but pissing this parasite class off.

The nation’s cops have been militarized so that they are basically a standing army against we the people who serve the interests of the ruling class. Constitutional rights be damned.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 1:12pm

police forces are absolutely

@snoopydawg militaristic, and their obedience to TPTB to attack protesters, allow anti-protesters (what a weird term!) to beat them, is one of the most unjust, anti-democratic events in our modern history. And the police at all university campuses seemed thrilled to torture unarmed people, most of whom were very young adults. These young people will carry those scars and memories for all their lives. You can almost count on them to hate and distrust all cops, and our government. They changed the game forever.

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:24am

here 'tis:

@snoopydawg

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 --

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:45pm

No idea what that means

@enhydra lutris

I prefer words to music videos that I don’t watch.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 1:14pm

Here are the lyrics

@snoopydawg https://www.google.com/search?channel=ftr&client=firefox-b-1-d&q=lyrics+...

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 1:29pm

Just a recording of the song your article referenced n/t

@snoopydawg

—

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 --

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:46pm

I read his article,

@snoopydawg failed to see anything he got wrong. Very observant guy. Thanks for the link.
I have seen the Grand Canyon in Canada, Banff, the US, and Mexico, Copper Canyon. It was gorgeous and visually stunning in Canada and the US, but in Mexico, it was so wide, and the rim was high but not steep, it more closely resembled a deep and wide valley, where there were homes and livestock at the bottom. It is a remarkable geological configuration. For you, a lover of mountains, looking at a long water washout may not be your thing. However, Sam needs to see it and give us her opinion.
You two have a great day and have some fun!

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 8:48pm

I loved seeing Banff

@on the cusp

We went on a 2 week bike trip from Montana up to Jasper and even though I grew up with mountains and visited Glacier many times the scenery from Banff to Jasper was awe inspiring because every turn gave us a new view of the mountains.

Lol….the closest I’ve been to the Grand Canyon is going to St. George or maybe Phoenix. Or when I flew over it very high up. The only reason I wanted to go there was to raft Cataract Canyon. Just no interest in it. Bryce? Yuck. Did drive through Zion once because that’s where the road went. I did enjoy Arches in the 80's, but you couldn’t pay me to go again unless they closed the park for me. Goblin valley and maybe Castle Rock country some day. But there would be so many places Sam couldn’t go in national parks and I’d have to leave her in the trailer. I wouldn’t enjoy it unless she was beside me.

I quite enjoyed the article. If more people saw the truth about this fck’d up country would that change anything? Our representative are just paid servants for the globalists who are evil beyond measure. And it seems to get worse every day. Still thought I’d be dead before this happened.

Sam has retired to the bedroom for the summer like she did last year. Just this week she goes back to bed in the morning and goes in immediately after our walk. Comes out for treats then goes back in. Dunno why she’s doing this.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:12am

Good morning otc. Thanks for the OT, especially in that

you had to write it twice. Like everybody else, I really hate it when that happens and deeply sympathize.

It is good to know that you have a suspect for your dermal mystery but I do hope that's not the end of it. I am reminded of many a tale of the form
"Well doc, what do I got" "Oh, you have zip-zaps"
"So, OK, how do I treat the zip-zaps?" " Oh, you can't, it's untreatable".

I have, oddly enough, heard of thrips, but all I can recall is that they're bugs. Can you treat the bite sites to make them go away? Is there a way to prevent further attacks, short of full body gaiters?

It is farmers' market today so we will probably run down there in a bit to get the week's veggies.

Today's Fun Article® is from Sputnik and is titled:

China Sells Off Record Amount of Dollar Assets as US Remains the 'World's Bully’

[ https://sputnikglobe.com/20240518/china-sells-off-record-amount-of-dolla... ] Fun and not overlong, noting that not only is the US a bully, but that the US$ has long been weaponized and that US$ assets are subject to arbitrary confiscation at any time. Also, heh:

"It is obvious that the Western civilization is being destroyed by their own corrupted and rotten political system and its rulers. The renewed politically enforced separation of the East and the West will lead to turmoil and chaos,"

BWAHAGO (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 --

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:36pm

Well, EL,

@enhydra lutris every time I am diagnosed with something, there is normally no treatment, or maybe some suggestions of ways to treat it with no guarantees. I am just unlucky in that respect.
So, I washed my rubber gardening boots, inside and out. I will do that routinely from now on. I figured out how I got bites even when wearing jeans tucked inside the boots. The bugs were on my jeans, as I walk in grass to and from where I park my car at work and at home. So, changing from shoes to boots gave no protection, and the boots became a place for bugs to hatch.
I am trying a product from Avon, called "Skin So Soft." It acts as a repellent. Additionally, I will smear on Benedryl cream. What I will not do is get a prescription for a capsule to be dissolved under my tongue daily. Our winters last 2 months, give or take. The capsules cost $260 per month, or $60 per month if my insurance covers it. That is ridiculous, given I would have to use the two other otc products additionally. I call bull shit, Big Pharma! No damn way. I will go shopping at the supermarket this afternoon, and will buy Benedryl cream.
Ya know, the harm of this allergy is a blow to my vanity, and no harm at all to my body. If I didn't work in such a public position, I would not give a shit. I am just unwilling to embarrass myself if I can prevent it.
I am going to add Sputnik to my daily searches, and RT, also. It is hard to criticize China when they so consistently get things right. Thanks for that link, my dear friend.
As you say, BHAHAGO!

—

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

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 12:43pm

The contrast between the RUS-CHI economic model

@enhydra lutris
-
-
of cooperation and the US model of military/economic isolation is very stark.
They prosper and we suffer. Thanks for the link.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 1:41pm

I saved my draft at least twice,

@enhydra lutris re-opening it to do some edits. No problems. I saved the final draft, asked Dear One to do some formatting. It was gone. It always appears to be my fault, but wtf did I do wrong?
My office computer occasionally gets screwy. I call Dear One, and he tells me to double clink in a couple of places, and it will be fine. I do as told, it remains screwy. Looks like my fault when he has to come to the office wherein he will double click in a couple of places, and everything works.
After this happenned several times, I would have my secretary do the double clicks. Never worked. Dear One would come to the office, do his double clicks, everything gets back to normal.
Well, after much deliberation and a vote, my secretary and I decided we would stop trying to do tech stuff, call in Dear One at the onset of problems, request he use his magic fingers and worm-free brain, and we would go outside, do some bird watching.

—

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

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 2:00pm

computer conspiracy

@on the cusp
-
-
it's those little bugs chewing on the CPU
maybe try skin so soft on the RAM?
watching the birds is more fun anyway

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 2:14pm

And then

@QMS there are butterflies...
It is a damn conspiracy! A Skin so Soft takeover!

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 9:13am

I just remembered something that may be of use to

@on the cusp @on the cusp
you and Dear One, that I'm surprised he hasn't thought of.

Back when the earth was young I had a software package that I could use to access and operate my home computer remotely from elsewhere, like the underpowered piece of shit company computer I was issued. When a friend started in with computers, I put a copy on his home 'puter so that when something went south that he could not resolve by following instructions given over the phone, I wuld simply come down the line and take over his machine and sort it out remotely.

I'm sure such packages still exist, so maybe you two could avail yourselves of such a process.

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 --

Submitted by on the cusp on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 11:59am

Thanks!

@enhydra lutris I will make sure Dear One reads that.

—

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

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 12:02pm

I assure you such packages do still exist

@on the cusp

Any computer technical support company worth its salt will know (of) several and probably be able to make recommendations based on your particular needs and setup.

—

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 12:27pm

Yep.

@TheOtherMaven But there is no fun in that, Please see comment below.
Hope your weekend exceeded expectations, chica!

—

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

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 3:16pm

Ahh, of course JtC would know too :-)

@on the cusp

—

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Submitted by JtC on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 12:14pm

I'm well aware...

@enhydra lutris
of porting into remote machines.

I only live about 2 miles away and it's too much fun rolling my eyes and strutting like a rooster after fixing the easily correctable ludditic problems.

The looks on the faces are priceless.

Submitted by Granma on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:33am

I love the Grand Canyon pictures. Nt

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:51am

That little half day

@Granma trip was wonderful. We were treated to a picnic lunch right on the rim. We could walk around inside the canyon, although I knew walking back up would be a struggle, so I only walked down about 50 ft.
Glad you enjoyed the pics. I hope everyone can visit The Grand Canyon. This might be the year I can take a vacation and Dear One can get in his first visit to see it.

—

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

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 3:29pm

Couldn't agree more

OTC on the points you made about the cops. I think Ms. So has been getting bit by the thrips while working in the garden.

Watched a video this morning produced by a couple of Korean world travelers who visited grand canyon recently. They stayed at the lodge there for 538 dollars for one night. The young woman had trouble doing the trails, so they didn't go down the canyon at all. The video like your pics were wonderful. I've driven a fair amount back and forth to the west driving OTR. Unfortunately never had much of an opportunity to stop and sight see. I lived in the Denver area once for a few months while training at an air force base. Got off at twelve every day. Went up into the Rockies often to trout fish. It was idyllic. I liked driving thru the rockies many years later. Even though it was the big rig, it was always a treat. Enjoyed the southwest desert as well.

Another Boeing episode last week-

Terra Avia on ops for Garuda Indonesia Boeing 747-400 (ER-BOS, built 2001) experienced a brief engine fire during take-off rotation from runway 21 at Makassar-Intl Airport(WAAA), Indonesia. The pilots of flight #GA1105 to Madinah continued the climb-out, entered a holding pattern… pic.twitter.com/6zAjxQunRe

— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) May 15, 2024

Galloway did this CGTN video on Taiwan which I liked. It's a good summary; doesn't cover much of the confrontations and threats including nuclear over the years. If anything I think the editing was done in a spirit of good will, to be positive in nature, and isn't nearly as provocatively produced as it could be. The goal I think is to introduce the main diplomatic history to a general audience, that may not know the history or the weasel wording in the first communique. I noticed the title in Chinese was one westerner's perspective on Taiwan. They mentioned Kevin Rudd's book The Avoidable War. Don't always agree with him, but I may read it when I get the chance.

Looking at the plain language on the html for this, it may only be viewable at the source, I'm not sure.

—

語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 5:26pm

If your wife doesn't want to

@soryang order from Avon, she could at least try a Repel spray, which I buy at Academy Outdoors, or ever Chigger Rid cream. The Benedryl cream is to smear onto the red spots.
They are in lawns, gardens, and sometimes houseplants.
The main reason I appreciated your posted video is that it makes the history and current Taiwan tensions more understandable. Taiwan could be the next Ukraine.
We should not have any military personnel or base of any kind in Taiwan, and should back the hell away from the China Sea. Enough flirtation with a nuclear war, ok, US government dumbasses? And I would bet the separatists are a CIA backed group and not an organic one.
I have visited the Rockies several times, and if I were rich, I would be happily living in them. I do have a small ranch within sight of the Sangre de Christo mountains, with a clear view of the famous Twin Sisters peaks.. Best I could do. One day I want to build a small cabin to get away from summer heat here. Every time I make some firm plan to do the construction, my money needs to go to some other project, or the economy takes a dump and my business takes a noticeable dip. Jst like now, the two counties I practice in were heavily damaged by floods. Those people are repairing their homes, not hiring an attorney.People here never fully recovered from the pandemic economic destruction, and now we face this horror. I must just wait and see.
Thanks for the info about all things Asia.Have a lovely weekend, friend!

OTC on the points you made about the cops. I think Ms. So has been getting bit by the thrips while working in the garden. Watched a video this morning produced by a couple of Korean world travelers who visited grand canyon recently. They stayed at the lodge there for 538 dollars for one night. The young woman had trouble doing the trails, so they didn't go down the canyon at all. The video like your pics were wonderful. I've driven a fair amount back and forth to the west driving OTR. Unfortunately never had much of an opportunity to stop and sight see. I lived in the Denver area once for a few months while training at an air force base. Got off at twelve every day. Went up into the Rockies often to trout fish. It was idyllic. I liked driving thru the rockies many years later. Even though it was the big rig, it was always a treat. Enjoyed the southwest desert as well. Another Boeing episode last week- Terra Avia on ops for Garuda Indonesia Boeing 747-400 (ER-BOS, built 2001) experienced a brief engine fire during take-off rotation from runway 21 at Makassar-Intl Airport(WAAA), Indonesia. The pilots of flight #GA1105 to Madinah continued the climb-out, entered a holding pattern… pic.twitter.com/6zAjxQunRe — JACDEC (@JacdecNew) May 15, 2024 Galloway did this CGTN video on Taiwan which I liked. It's a good summary; doesn't cover much of the confrontations and threats including nuclear over the years. If anything I think the editing was done in a spirit of good will, to be positive in nature, and isn't nearly as provocatively produced as it could be. The goal I think is to introduce the main diplomatic history to a general audience, that may not know the history or the weasel wording in the first communique. I noticed the title in Chinese was one westerner's perspective on Taiwan. They mentioned Kevin Rudd's book The Avoidable War. Don't always agree with him, but I may read it when I get the chance. Looking at the plain language on the html for this, it may only be viewable at the source, I'm not sure.

—

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

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 7:03pm

Good luck

@on the cusp

..with the aftermath of that storm. It was even being covered on the South Korean news, so I saw video of the damages. Ms. So has the Benadryl but we didn't know what the insect was until you mentioned these thrips.

—

語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 7:09pm

It took months of effort to

@soryang figure out which bug caused these spots with no other symptoms whatsoever. A mosquito repellent is better than no repellent at all.
Let me know if any of this info helps her, ok? You are in Florida. Summer. Shorts. She doesn't need people staring at red spots going, "ewww"!

—

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

Submitted by lotlizard on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 5:08pm

Follow-up on the New Caledonia vs. French imperialism situation:

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2024/05/17/kanaky-in-flames-five-takeaways-...

Amsterdam and the Netherlands are supposed to be so cool and enlightened, but the city government there hops on the police-brutality train like every other repressive regime as soon as protest against Israel’s genocide in Palestine is involved. One police dog wasn’t having it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/palestinenews/comments/1cui1un/a_police_dog_bit...

On a lighter note, ~~Thrips~~ “Twips” from an old Dutch TV series from the ’60s:

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 5:43pm

France Blames Deadly New Caledonia Uprising

@lotlizard
-
-
On TikTok, Russia, & Azerbaijan.

They’re pushing the narrative of France being a colonialist state.

Its odd how colonial powers all use the same playbook.
Blame your own crimes on the perceived enemies.

Thanks for the link.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/violent-new-caledonia-uprising-pr...

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 7:14pm

The glaring hypocrisy

@QMS of issuing a ban on a social media platform shown in an island far away for allowing France to be called imperialist was issued from Paris. Isn't that classic control of one's colony?
Nickel must be a more important component to France's economy than we knew, ya think?

—

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

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 5:57pm

I do see

@lotlizard some hope the French will tuck tail and run, leaving their colonies to move forward independently.
They need to realize their imperialist tendencies are looked upon with disgust.
While I loved spending some time in in The Netherlands, and in Amsterdam, I missed out on seeing the "cool" thing, and enlightenment I observed stopped after legalized drugs and prostitution.
So, that police attack dog is smarter than his police handlers? Yeah, Baby! Now that is what I call "cool"!
The video and goofy dancing was crazy fun!
Thanks so much for posting it, lotlizard! Great comment all the way around!
Enjoy your weekend, chica!

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 8:17pm

Beware of false flags

I’ve been seeing this warning for months, but now they gave the game away.

The Department of State said it is also “aware of the increased potential for foreign terrorist organization-inspired violence against” LGBT people, echoing a statement issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security earlier this week that terrorist groups such as ISIS could target “Pride” month-related events in June.

In a separate bulletin, both the FBI and DHS said that groups such as ISIS, or Islamic State, might “seek to exploit increased gatherings associated” with “Pride”-related events. The terrorist threats could come via the mail, in person, or online, the agencies stated without elaborating or providing specific details. (Yeah that’s not vague or anything.)

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/us-state-department-issues-worldwide...

ISIS hasn’t been targeting American interests (or more interestingly Israeli ones either) so why would they suddenly decide to attack us and especially during pride month? Iirc ISIS it an Israeli creature that was trained in Jordan and given tons of Toyota trucks to drive unabated in miles long convoys.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 8:53pm

Absolutely.

@snoopydawg We need to concoct some reason to bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 9:04pm

Some time within the past two weeks some female hotshot

@snoopydawg

declared that ISIS was a threat, can't recall exactly whom or when because it was so silly.

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 --

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 9:07pm

This is what is driving anti semitism

Israeli settlers brought their children to destroy humanitarian aid to prevent any relief for injured, starving and displaced Palestinians in Gaza

Yet US media outlets will tell you it is Palestinian children that are ‘taught to hate’

More Gaza coverage:… pic.twitter.com/FXvgO96Efb

— Afshin Rattansi (@afshinrattansi) May 15, 2024

The Israelis block roads with stones, drag drivers out of the trucks and throw supplies out the back and they don’t think people will have a problem with it? And we’re supposed to believe that ISIS Muslims has a problem with gay Americans?

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 9:27pm

Teach your children

@snoopydawg well, huh?
One day, Israel won't be a thing.

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 10:05pm

Biden keeps saying that Trump will broke fascism

It’s already here. It’s been here for some time.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-billionaires-financiers-change-isr...

It’s not just Israel who is telling government what to do about the protests. It’s Jewish billionaires too. Those billionaires also sit on college boards and they tell presidents what to do and how much to charge students.
This rot can’t be voted out unless the government stops taking bribes from billionaires and corporations.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:00pm

Links to the original WP article - identifies several

@snoopydawg individuals who have been working together to shape the narrative since October. They pushed to have the cops return to Columbia.

Business titans privately urged NYC mayor to use police on Columbia protesters, chats show The Washington Post May 16, 2024 (Archived)

A group of billionaires and business titans working to shape U.S. public opinion of the war in Gaza privately pressed New York City’s mayor last month to send police to disperse pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, according to communications obtained by The Washington Post and people familiar with the group.
...
The chat group formed shortly after the Oct. 7 attack, and its activism has stretched beyond New York, touching the highest levels of the Israeli government, the U.S. business world and elite universities. Titled “Israel Current Events,” the chat eventually expanded to about 100 members, the chat log shows. More than a dozen members of the group appear on Forbes’s annual list of billionaires; others work in real estate, finance and communications.
Overall, the messages offer a window into how some prominent individuals have wielded their money and power in an effort to shape American views of the Gaza war, as well as the actions of academic, business and political leaders — including New York’s mayor.
...
A Zoom video call with chat group members and Adams took place a little after 11 a.m. April 26, according to chat records.
It is unclear how many members attended the meeting, which lasted roughly 45 minutes, chat records show. Those present included at least Blavatnik, Sitt, Loeb and Lubetzky, according to the chat logs.
Sitt wrote minutes after the call ended to summarize items “discussed today,” including donating to Adams, using group members’ “leverage” to help persuade Columbia’s president to let New York police back on campus, and paying for “investigative efforts” to assist the city.
Lubetzky replied listing concrete actions group members should take. These included resharing a link to offer financial support to Adams, calling and writing to Columbia’s president and board of trustees, and “getting Black Leaders to condemn Anti-Semitism.” He named several people he would contact and asked if anyone in the group knew Jay-Z, LeBron James or Alicia Keys.
Asked about his comments, Lubetzky wrote in a statement to The Post that “building bridges between the Black and Jewish communities … is more important than ever.”
...
Police returned to Columbia on April 30, arresting dozens of demonstrators who had occupied a university building. Columbia President Shafik had requested law enforcement’s aid in a letter, writing that the takeover of Hamilton Hall raised “serious safety concerns.” She asked police to remain on campus at least through May 17.
...
In early May, seven months since its inception, the chat was shut down. A person close to Sternlicht said he decided to shutter the group because the activities were moving beyond the initial objectives and the people who started it — including himself — were no longer actively participating, and hadn’t been for months.

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/18/2024 - 11:37pm

More….

@studentofearth

Ackman has become a highly controversial figure in recent months for his attacks on pro-Palestine campus activists; the hedge fund manager pressured Harvard University to publicly release the names of students who had signed an open letter criticizing Israel’s military operation in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000.
Leon said the incident was “one of the things I think that got President [Claudine] Gay from Harvard fired, that she refused to release the personal information on the students that were protesting.” The host noted that members of the secret WhatsApp group offered to hire private investigators to help the New York City Police Department spy on and discredit pro-Palestine activists at Columbia.

Leon compared the incident to COINTELPRO, an illegal effort by the US Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) to surveil and subvert activist groups in the 1960s. The infamous program led to the FBI’s assassination of civil rights leader Fred Hampton and attempts to discredit Martin Luther King Jr.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240519/revealed-us-oligarchs-demanded-police-...

Worth a read.

What’s interesting about the protests and those against it are the people who criticized the censorship during Covid and the draconian prison sentences for the 1/6 protests is that they are now in favor of the police crackdowns on the college protesters. I don’t know how many times I’ve called out their hypocrisy, but they just don’t see it. Now it’s republicans who want to bring the McCarthy type UN-American hearings on those who want the genocide to end.

#11 individuals who have been working together to shape the narrative since October. They pushed to have the cops return to Columbia. Business titans privately urged NYC mayor to use police on Columbia protesters, chats show The Washington Post May 16, 2024 (Archived) A group of billionaires and business titans working to shape U.S. public opinion of the war in Gaza privately pressed New York City’s mayor last month to send police to disperse pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, according to communications obtained by The Washington Post and people familiar with the group. ... The chat group formed shortly after the Oct. 7 attack, and its activism has stretched beyond New York, touching the highest levels of the Israeli government, the U.S. business world and elite universities. Titled “Israel Current Events,” the chat eventually expanded to about 100 members, the chat log shows. More than a dozen members of the group appear on Forbes’s annual list of billionaires; others work in real estate, finance and communications. Overall, the messages offer a window into how some prominent individuals have wielded their money and power in an effort to shape American views of the Gaza war, as well as the actions of academic, business and political leaders — including New York’s mayor. ... A Zoom video call with chat group members and Adams took place a little after 11 a.m. April 26, according to chat records. It is unclear how many members attended the meeting, which lasted roughly 45 minutes, chat records show. Those present included at least Blavatnik, Sitt, Loeb and Lubetzky, according to the chat logs. Sitt wrote minutes after the call ended to summarize items “discussed today,” including donating to Adams, using group members’ “leverage” to help persuade Columbia’s president to let New York police back on campus, and paying for “investigative efforts” to assist the city. Lubetzky replied listing concrete actions group members should take. These included resharing a link to offer financial support to Adams, calling and writing to Columbia’s president and board of trustees, and “getting Black Leaders to condemn Anti-Semitism.” He named several people he would contact and asked if anyone in the group knew Jay-Z, LeBron James or Alicia Keys. Asked about his comments, Lubetzky wrote in a statement to The Post that “building bridges between the Black and Jewish communities … is more important than ever.” ... Police returned to Columbia on April 30, arresting dozens of demonstrators who had occupied a university building. Columbia President Shafik had requested law enforcement’s aid in a letter, writing that the takeover of Hamilton Hall raised “serious safety concerns.” She asked police to remain on campus at least through May 17. ... In early May, seven months since its inception, the chat was shut down. A person close to Sternlicht said he decided to shutter the group because the activities were moving beyond the initial objectives and the people who started it — including himself — were no longer actively participating, and hadn’t been for months.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 12:18am

wrong think

@snoopydawg is now a crime. Wrong act can be criminal if you are standing in the wrong place at the wrong time.
USA! USA! Fly over some Blue Angels!

—

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

Submitted by on the cusp on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 12:15am

rich

@studentofearth pricks rule the world, so it seems.
Glad you shared the info, soe. Thanks so much.

#11 individuals who have been working together to shape the narrative since October. They pushed to have the cops return to Columbia. Business titans privately urged NYC mayor to use police on Columbia protesters, chats show The Washington Post May 16, 2024 (Archived) A group of billionaires and business titans working to shape U.S. public opinion of the war in Gaza privately pressed New York City’s mayor last month to send police to disperse pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, according to communications obtained by The Washington Post and people familiar with the group. ... The chat group formed shortly after the Oct. 7 attack, and its activism has stretched beyond New York, touching the highest levels of the Israeli government, the U.S. business world and elite universities. Titled “Israel Current Events,” the chat eventually expanded to about 100 members, the chat log shows. More than a dozen members of the group appear on Forbes’s annual list of billionaires; others work in real estate, finance and communications. Overall, the messages offer a window into how some prominent individuals have wielded their money and power in an effort to shape American views of the Gaza war, as well as the actions of academic, business and political leaders — including New York’s mayor. ... A Zoom video call with chat group members and Adams took place a little after 11 a.m. April 26, according to chat records. It is unclear how many members attended the meeting, which lasted roughly 45 minutes, chat records show. Those present included at least Blavatnik, Sitt, Loeb and Lubetzky, according to the chat logs. Sitt wrote minutes after the call ended to summarize items “discussed today,” including donating to Adams, using group members’ “leverage” to help persuade Columbia’s president to let New York police back on campus, and paying for “investigative efforts” to assist the city. Lubetzky replied listing concrete actions group members should take. These included resharing a link to offer financial support to Adams, calling and writing to Columbia’s president and board of trustees, and “getting Black Leaders to condemn Anti-Semitism.” He named several people he would contact and asked if anyone in the group knew Jay-Z, LeBron James or Alicia Keys. Asked about his comments, Lubetzky wrote in a statement to The Post that “building bridges between the Black and Jewish communities … is more important than ever.” ... Police returned to Columbia on April 30, arresting dozens of demonstrators who had occupied a university building. Columbia President Shafik had requested law enforcement’s aid in a letter, writing that the takeover of Hamilton Hall raised “serious safety concerns.” She asked police to remain on campus at least through May 17. ... In early May, seven months since its inception, the chat was shut down. A person close to Sternlicht said he decided to shutter the group because the activities were moving beyond the initial objectives and the people who started it — including himself — were no longer actively participating, and hadn’t been for months.

—

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