Open Thread - Thurs 27 Jun 2024 - Assange, Animal Heroes
It's Thursday and here's an open, Open Thread!
I'm very tired. Puppies can do that! So here's a short open thread with a bit about Assange and a bit about the Dickin Medal. The what? Read below 
Assange:
Julian Assange's release really made me happy. Very happy. His release was written about in stories that appeared on news websites (a couple local examples: Assange returns to Australia a free man, Mike Pence is upset at the plea deal, and some examples from around the country: New York Times on Australia's view of Assange and an article from NBC). But happy or not, I'm suspicious that his release is going to be used to try to gin up support for some political entity (or entities) or another. And the fact that he was held in prison for so long, for nothing really, is insane. Nothing was right about this prosecution. The only right thing now is that he's been released.
From https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/julian-assange-reach...
Animal Heroes
Weird question: Do we, in the USA, have medals for animals who do heroic and brave things? I know that the animals probably don't care, but we do. I first heard about the concept when I lived in Britain, where there is a medal for heroic and brave animals. It's called the Dickin Medal. It's been awarded since WWII. The animals that have been awarded the medal have done some amazing things and those animals are all kinds: horses, dogs, cats, pigeons - yes, pigeons, for example - William of Orange who saved over 2000 soldiers during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944.
Chips, a German shepherd, collie, malamute mix who won the Dickin award in 2018 for his work during WWII (image from Wikipedia article linked above).
Edited to Add: I see that the US does have a medal for animal heroes: the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery. It was instituted in 2019, and Chips received the medal then. Better late than never!
Thanks for reading and here's the open thread - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Thursday Rocks!!
No debate about it
Hahahaha.
It might rain here today. And it's cold, locally, our weather has not been summer weather, yet. But then, that is 'normal' in the PacNW where we say summer doesn't begin until after the 4th of July. I wish the weather was normal in other places too. Yesterday we had a high of 60F and it was cloudy with a pretty firm breeze blowing. Gotta love living up a shallow valley from the Puget Sound. If it rains today, like they say it might, that's ok, I got some plants to water. And tons to weed and prune.
Post whatever is up with you, and let us know about the debacle err debate if you watched it. I'm interested in learning what people think. I haven't a TV so I'm not watching the thing, gotta admit.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
We wish Assange the best
.
.
the price to pay for exposing government secrets is shown
making a statement of the classified nature of war secrets
Like you, no TV. Wouldn't want to watch it anyway.
More propaganda is not needed.
`
`
Glad the weather gods are smiling for you.
Thanks for the OT!
NO TV...
Glad there are others like me and my hubby. I can't even name modern tv stars, or anything like that. And I'm ok with that! Hope you had a great day and the weekend is good!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
I think it was Larry Johnson on Andrew Napolitano's podcast
who said that Assange was freed because the US wanted to dispense with Australia's objection to his imprisonment so Australia could be recruited as an ally in the forthcoming war against China.
But I can't find it.
Thoughts?
“When there's no fight over programme, the election becomes a casting exercise. Trump's win is the unstoppable consequence of this situation.” - Jean-Luc Melanchon
Sounds plausible.
There is a reason for getting this saga over with, and a reason for doing it now. It is going to benefit someone, or underpin some plan of action. We just do not know, and it is hard to follow the money at this point.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I think that could be true...
In fact, am pretty sure that would be one of the main reasons. Another is to make Biden look 'fair'. Another is probably pressure from Britain getting tired of having Assange in prison for basically nothing.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Free at last!
Julian needs to recover, but I'm hoping he eventually starts working again. He and wikileaks are needed.
As to animal heros, more power to them. Like you I bet they don't care bout medals. Their motivation is based on loyalty.
Enjoy your cool weather, it has been hot here, however today is cooler with a much needed drizzle.
Thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Wikileaks is very...
important to our 'modern' way of learning and news. Assange is too. I hope he recovers and works again. If he doesn't work again though, I won't blame him.
Hope your weather and weekend are good!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Hot here today, out working in the yard all morning,
digging, shoveling, cutting hardware cloth with tin snips, etc. Finally got to be too much.
Feel good for Assange. but I just don't trust it, even though I can't figure out a next step for the US that isn't assassination.
Good to see that the Columbian assholes attempt at a second bite of the apple failed.
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 --
The release of Assange is good..
but I too am wary. Would the US really assassinate him? I wouldn't be that surprised if it happened.
I've been working outside a lot too. Take the puppy out, find something to do. We have so much we've delayed because of too many 'other' things and various physical problems. Hubby got a bad knee digging up goat manure while cleaning the barn. It's slowly healing, but he can barely walk. Still he mows the lawn, here and at my parent's place. Me I am weeding, pruning, planting, watering... at least it's outside!
Have a good weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
the 'all the suddenness' of this particular mess
.
.
reads of political manipulation to make blinden look better
ahead of the debate. Lipstick on a pig does not fly.
The so called commander in chief hasn't a single feather in his
bonnet, what with all the US funded wars on going indefinitely.
For the US voters, he would be better off just killing his son.
Before his criminal enterprise is exposed.
Very cynical...
and a good take on the whole thing.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Being tired due to a puppy is a good kind of tired. Meanwhile
here is a reasonable explanation of the failed coup in Bolivia.
The rest of the tweet:
Of course, humphrey
We won't start any shit in any country that has nothing of value for us to steal.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
So true!
So damned true!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Lithium
That's it, of course. Follow the money, as always. Just like all empires, I guess.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
This is not one bit surprising! It is certainly not due to lack
of evidence of Israeli war crimes.
Good afternoon, sima!
Nikko is kicking your ass, eh? Lol!
I love animal heroism, and see it in them with protective parents, and when, say, a herd of elephants or herd of Cape Buffalo are stomping the snot out of lions.
Assange had to cause his "illegal" info to disappear from Wikileaks.
Assange needed this agreement to save his life.
The agreement lays the path for any journalist anywhere in the world to expect the same thing Assange went through.
Secrets will remain secret, the people are never gonna know what our government is up to.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yep, Nikko is doing just that!
It's the getting up in the morning after 5 hours sleep to take him out so he doesn't mess his crate. Ohh and the 8 or more times out per day. On the other hand, he's a joy, and this'll be over soon enough.
I'm glad Assange is out, but I agree with you. This is not good for journalism. The empire's fingers stretch everywhere.
Animal heroes... something to look up to. I read about a 7 lb dog that crawled through a little tunnel under an airfield to get a wire set up for us. The little girl went 70 ft through that thing! Heroes, in every size and shape!
Have a good weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Sima,
F'ck Mike Pence.
Just the mood I am in, or something like that.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I gotta agree, I'm in ...
that mood as well! He's so gross, they are all so gross...
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so