Saturday Open Thread - 8/3/24 - Odds and Ends

By luck, on some tour in Eastern Europe, I became acquainted with Mary, a woman who lives in Honolulu. Both of us were traveling alone in a group tour, sort of hooked up. She was a 90 country been there traveler, and I was a 60 country been there. Mary was very impressed at where I had been. She had done mostly 1st and 2nd world, I had delved into 3rd word. A lot.

We went on 3 or 4 trips together, had a blast each time, and I adopted her slogan/mantra: "With travel, it's always something."

Lost luggage, flight delays, kerfuffles among the tour group.

With driving trips, it is road construction and GPS that directs you to cattle trails. Seriously.

So, as I write this, I am in a Friday night packing mode, prepping for a 9 hour drive from East Texas to somewhere in Missouri headed, sleepover, then drive to the final destination in Illinois. Response to comments will show up about 8 pm Saturday, more or less.

Packing is a project. 20 degrees difference from here to there. Layers. Shorts and tees, fleece lounge wear, everything in between.

Wish me luck! Not sandals for Texas, but hiking boots for Illinois, so I was informed!

Gaah! There are some very interesting parks, and also historic sites and museums from the Civil War era.

Voting is a bet. A gamble.

I have seen very little of the deer and The Bunny. Damn. Except tonight, we discovered Mom Deer has twin fawns! Cool!

George Strait sets a record. We wanted to go, reconsidered when we discovered the tickets were $2,000 each and upwards. Sigh...

George Strait Breaks Attendance Record With Largest Concert Ever Held in the U.S.

GS.jpg

“What’s going on everybody?” country legend George Strait said to a record crowd of 110,905 ticket-buying fans gathered Saturday (June 15) at Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station. “We got some Aggie’s out there? Oh yeah! I’m ashamed to say this, but this is my first time to ever be in Kyle Field… damn! Just invite me back, I’ll come!”

Minutes ago, the Texas native set an all-time attendance record for a ticketed concert in the United States, previously held by the Grateful Dead, who had 107,019 fans in attendance at their 1977 show at Raceway Park in New Jersey. Strait’s show also set a new record for Texas A&M Kyle Field for a single event (previously recorded on Oct. 11, 2014, at 110,633, for a Texas A&M game against Ole Miss) with 110,905 fans in attendance for George Strait: The King at Kyle Field with special guests, fellow Lone Star natives and MCA labelmates, Parker McCollum and Catie Offerman.

Source

Why, you might ask?

We have been rolling along, I am talking wheels, others may have a different interpretation, something about pot, or something...

It has been an adventure to fill in for joe's ebs, hasn't it? Now that we are in the habit, please fill in goodies in this OT so I will have some interesting things to view after seeing nothing but 18 wheelers hour after hour!

Let 'er rip!

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This is an open thread, open to all ideas, open to all suggestions as to help the US from the shit show that is looming!
YOUR TURN!

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

Cassiodorus's picture

Trust the man behind the curtain. He is your friend, whomever he is. And remember, folks, we're "saving democracy" or something.

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“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

QMS's picture

@Cassiodorus
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Bengy Nuttyahoo

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Cassiodorus's picture

@QMS Jill Biden? Hunter Biden? The committee of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer?

As regards your response, I tend to agree with the observers who argue that the head of the Zionist Project is an average member of that project. So if we imagine 435 members of Congress, that would mean 435 corresponding AIPAC "minders" to insure either that they vote for genocide or that they be primaried out of office.

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“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

QMS's picture

@Cassiodorus
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is not an elected official.
Perhaps that is old Joe's idea
of saving democracy?

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Cassiodorus's picture

@QMS GUAtI6PXQAAxO-N.jpg

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“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

@Cassiodorus I am in a tiny "hotel" room, no way to watch the video without interrupting a Gunsmoke episode, which is pretty damn important at our house!
Wouldn't it be nice to know what is going on so we could get prepared?
Thanks for the vid, friend.

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

Pluto's Republic's picture

@Cassiodorus

...was very compelling and provocative. People are so used to being gaslighted, I guess, few seem to notice how bizarre and un-Democratic this situation is.

The Reagan administration was a little like this toward the end, with Nancy acting as President, overseen by the Neocons, who flooded into the Federal government under Reagan and never really left again. For the Neocons, their biggest breaks and anti-Russian brinksmanship came with the elections of two brain-damaged Presidents.

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QMS's picture

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Life on the road to somewhere. OTR has changed over the years.
One trip we were delivering a red Firebird from Detroit to L.A.
CB radios were a thing back then, so we installed a unit for fun.
Took us almost thru Illinois before we got the gist of the lingo.
Adopted the handle Freebird and chatted with the
truckers along the way. Warned us of smokeys and detours.
A couple side stops in Phoenix and San Diego to see people.
Man, that car could fly!

Fast forward 50 years, and it is all GPS, Waysapps and whatnots.
Not quite as interpersonal as the citizens band.

Safe trip and thanks for the OT(R).

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@QMS Mustang Mach 1.
They came close to beating me.
Have a fantastic day, and take good care of yourself, dear friend!

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

Ah the fun of a road trip. The trip from Austin area to Santa Fe can be done in one very loooong trip but did it once and no thanks. Always split it up. Lots of open road and not a lot to see. Hope you have some interesting scenery. Always take the road less traveled. Interesting what you might run into.
Also road food, Hope you have some good stuff along with you. On my trip from Texas to New Mexico, once you hit New Mexico it is a food desert unless you love the greasy fried food. Have a great trip and I wonder will there be fields and fields of corn like there were when I visited Illinois many years ago.
Travel in US is not as likely to be nearly as interesting as travel abroad. Getting ready to do a trip to Europe and then on to Kruger National Park in South Africa. This was a trip that had been planned but Covid put a stop to going. So now are back and ready to go.
Have a great trip and hope you have a lot of outside adventures!

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Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.

This ain't no dress rehearsal!

@jakkalbessie When I drove all over the US in the 80s, taking my Mom to see the country, I could drive 16 hrs or more, no big deal. Now, just sitting in a car, while Dear One drives, requires proper dress. Flip flops 1/2 size too large, a special bra way too large that I can't feel, and a loose summer cotton shift style dress at least 2 sizes too large. Perfect!
The plan is a hard day, night's rest, short drive day to destination. Works for us.
Probably TMI on the bra thing, but I consider it a psa for woman site members! Lol!
Take good care, glad to hear from you, always, always!

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

Lookout's picture

Be careful on the road, and have a great time!

Travel is an education, and you're right there's always something unexpected in every trip.

Happy travels!

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

@Lookout 10 speed trap alerts from Bitch on GPS. 0 speed traps.
Bitch got two things right, which was "object on the road", (shredded tire), and destination.
Road construction in Little Rock has been completed, so it was smooth sailing!
We have 6 more hours, more or less, to get o the destination. Conversation has been a BLAST! I am thankful that most drivers on the roads can't read lips! Lol!
You and yours have a fantastic weekend in the holler, and make some music if you can!
Take care, dear friend!

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

enhydra lutris's picture

and safely. Most importantly, have fun. As noted, with travel, and/or road trips, there's always something. This renders each trip both identifiable and memorable, so try not to let it bring you down when it happens.

Dunno about you guys but part of our travel procedure is to not seek out the news beyond weather forecasts and traffic alerts. For this specific trip, try not to think of quail. Also, if you see a smorgasbord restaurant, get a picture, they seem to have vanished, at least out here. On that subject, try to only eat wholesome, healthy foods. (malicious grin). OK, that's horseshit, it's a road trip and you're supposed to have fun, not bedevil yourselves about healthy eating.

Eschew all Bourbon County brand beers, Chicago is not one of the Bourbon counties and that is really a misappropriation.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris We will eat as best we can, hope to do most of our meals by cooking, once we get to Ottowa.
If some shit happens that doesn't injure us, destroy property, give us bed bugs, who give's a shit?
Dear One says no quail in Illinois nowadays. No habitat. It became farm land and were majorly hunted. They went to Iowa. To be hunted.
Texas, ranches. Arkansas, farms. Just a state line to change change all the scenery.
Of course, we saw the signs and knew we were passing Hope, the birthplace of the best evah prez, and even though it hurt us to be in a hurry, we so want to view his birthplace in person. Honor it with a little piss or spit. One day...
Take care of you and yours, dear friend!

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

enhydra lutris's picture

@on the cusp

it wouldn't fix the damage he did.

ask dear one what a quail's call sounds like.

be well and have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris never went away. Bomb and bullet damage in Bosnia didn't, either.
Dear One can't mimic a quail call. I must live with and deal with his shortcomings.
Lots of farms through Arkansas, Missouri, and to Illinois destination. Some beautiful hills, and green fields.

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

QMS's picture

.

`
and another written by Laura Nero
`

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@QMS Man, OH Man! I was young then! Now, young at heart at best!
Stoned soul picnic was a favorite in my house although parents didn't have any idea what it meant. It was jus the beautiful sound, the rhythm.
You just took me back to my youth, friend!
Hugs! Take care of yourself!

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

can accomplish. We are being told that she is the next best thing since the invention of the wheel.

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@humphrey got her where she was in Ca., then got her where she is today.
This is pretty sensitive to me, about women having affairs as bad, men having affairs is expected and no more than just a thing. Eve gets all responsibility or blame for Adam doing what men love best.
Women sin. Men? Just being men. I have fought against this my entire life, and yet, I have to face the Kamaltoe. And vote for her?
Thanks for your input into this thread, friend.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

@on the cusp

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris near you! Followed by cops.

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

Pluto's Republic's picture

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It is stuffed with articles, videos, and images that I really like and plan to share with the site — if I ever get around to it. But I never do. So, I'm going post a couple randomly for your perusal when you are kicking back at your motel.

This one is features Richard Wolff, who gives such a clear and entertaining explanation of the state of the economy (two months ago) that it is actually fun to watch. Lena Petrova is a very pleasant, well informed interviewer/guide. (See more below.)

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Summary: All Empires drown in debt. The world has been quietly watching the US tie more and ballast of debt around itself to help it sink to the ocean floor. They have been content to wait and watch the suicide of the US and some of its Western allies. But when the US began stealing the money of other nations, Russia and Afghanistan, for example, everything changed. That signaled to the world it was time to act. No country, friend or foe, wants to be left holding the bag when the US goes down. This kicked dedollarization and the deleveraging of dollar-based assets like Treasuries into higher gear.

So what happens inside the US when it can no longer pay the interest on its debt because no country will accept its fake money which is now backed by nothing? No one is saying.

____________________________

OTC, you mentioned that Joe Biden is suddenly half-a-foot taller. I totally missed that. However, I was amused that Lena Petrova noticed the very same thing. So I'm posting her recent update for you. Lena is a CPA and geoeconomist and specializes in geopolitics. So this is not a fun vacation topic. She is the only serious person who is sounding the alarm about the approaching banking/real estate collapse in the US. It's here when you want to watch it.
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snoopydawg's picture

@Pluto's Republic

And one reason why Russia, China, ect are creating other monetary systems. That has pissed off little Marco Rubio:

Senator Marco Rubio has introduced a bill to “counter adversarial financial systems,” because “China, Russia, and Iran use alternate financial systems to evade U.S. sanctions.”

“Sanction enforcement is vital to enforcing our laws,” writes Rubio.

Our laws, the rules based order laws that go against international laws you dolly. Did he think that countries would just keep accepting America's bullying? Apparently.

And Lindsay Graham is writing a new AUMF so that Biden can attack Iran which he is accusing of breaking the treaty against enriching weapons grade uranium (?) anyhow getting too close to make nuclear weapons. Hey dummy, America tore up the treaty, not Iran. Just like it has torn up every treaty to keep them world safe from nuclear war. The START treaty expires in 2026 and America is leaning on Russia and China to renegotiate it. Why should they when America will tear it up when it’s convenient for them?

Trump who didn’t start any new wars sure armed Ukraine to the teeth and helped arm, train and create defensive positions to fight Russia has brought the world closer to nuclear war when he tore up the INF treaty so Americans can put mid range missiles in Germany. Where will Russia put theirs? It could be worse than the Cuba missile crisis. All so it can be the bully of the world. Pffft!

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

Lindsey Graham.

@snoopydawg

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snoopydawg's picture

@humphrey

on to war, violence and massive death? Larry Johnson called Lindsay an idiot.

He and McCain worked with terrorists in Syria. Worked with Nazis in Ukraine and now he alone is kissing Zionist butt. Gawd what an awful human being and a wasted life. I hope he’s looking forward to having tea with Albright’s soul in Hell. Wish their was a way I could view the scene.

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

@Pluto's Republic Will watch, agree with you on the high quality of the host. She is really smart.
Thanks so much for pitching in, and all videos get wtached tomorrow or the next day, at least by me.
Sweet, Sistah!
Thanks, and keep us informed, and know we appreciate your contributions very much!

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

@Pluto's Republic I should be ale to look at these vids this week. Always, always, keep us all informed! Dump your archive one day!
I just met a guy who is a paralegal who is at my "hotel" to get a girl!
What a trip!
Thanks, chica

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

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@humphrey

She can barely explain to herself a fifth-grade understanding of inflation. Let alone describe any plans of action, of which "Taking it seriously", is not a plan, or action.

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Pluto's Republic's picture

@humphrey

Handing it off to the Federal Reserve was a big mess. High prices were caused by US sanctions and trade wars (not an exuberant economy.) The Federal Reserved raised interest rates, which made things much worse — because interest rates on people's personal debt tripled or quadrupled. This made the cost of living too expensive for many Americans.

Maybe let KH slow think the solution, and this will result in less damage.

It's a structural problem, anyway. Insane spending on wars has killed the economy by piling on unaffordable debt. The US economy is in the endgame, now. The Neocons are in denial. They are going to bed tempted to blow up the whole world to hide their deceit and failures.

Harris seems to have old fashioned Democratic instincts. We could do worse. At least she's not brain dead.

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QMS's picture

@Pluto's Republic
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to an under ripe mind. Does the political class not understand
their are vegetables to harvest in-between?
Wink

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Pluto's Republic's picture

@QMS

A bit unplugged. Maybe that's the best set-up that decent intelligent people can hope for.

On the other hand Zelensky was kind of slow and clueless when he became President. And now he's just an overweight Nazi, who will be lucky to get out of the Ukraine alive.

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don't know?

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@humphrey

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snoopydawg's picture

@humphrey

Cass posted why is Austin telling us this news instead of Biden or the Kam? We are on the possible verge of world war and yet Biden is silent on it. During the prisoner release thing at the WH, Biden grabbed a little girl and sang happy birthday to her whilst groping and kissing her. Hasn’t ANYONE ever told Biden that is creepy as hell and to STOP DOING IT?

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

STOP DOING IT?"

@snoopydawg

In his present state if anyone told him he likely wouldn't remember anyway.

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snoopydawg's picture

.

Lots of information coming out about how pro Israel he is.

He wanted to crack down on BDS against Israel, but he was quite happy to support it against Iran. There’s more information about his ties to Israel that will come out if he gets the nod.

I don’t think we need another Israel firster in the WH.

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

snoopydawg's picture

..
When presidents kill

Presidents have taken on the power of kings and are killing whomever they want overseas which is unconstitutional.

Trump may have ordered the killing of an American citizen in Portland. Remember when one guy killed another guy and Trump sent ……? agency after him? They got out of the car and opened fire. Did they give him a chance to surrender? Details are fuzzy or I’d post a link.
Anyone?

All these murders were met with popular approval, as the targets had been demonized by the machinery of government – just like the “terrorists” Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden have killed.

No are Americans any different from the Israelis cheering on the genocide and prison barbarism?. Haven’t we been the good Germans numerous times? Yes we have.
"Support the Troops " who are overseas slaughtering people who did us no harm.

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

@snoopydawg

I remember the incident but I forget most of the details. The individual in Portland admitted that he shot a right winger in self defense and left town. the feds tracked him down and murdered him in cold blood.

I did a search and came up with this.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/09/03/michael-reinoehl-p...

I hope that this helps.

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snoopydawg's picture

@humphrey
yes that’s who I meant. I thought the incident was filmed because it looked like they didn’t give him a chance to surrender.
I thought it was another extrajudicial killing, but this time it was done here and on an American citizen. The gist of his article is that president s do not have the constitutional authority to take life. Natural law is accorded to everyone on the planet.
I posted a video of him discussing this.

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Was Humpty Dumpty pushed?

travel to reply to comments.
I want to say thank you for all your comments! Great stuff!
Last night was a Super 8 "hotel" in Sikeston. Now, I have had some men hit me up for sex around the world, but the first time I was approached more as a madam than participant was last night. The local guy comes to the "hotel", which is right beside another "hotel", to find girls all the time. He didn't ask me if I was a player, but rather, did I know if any were around and where they were.
While I am happy not to have to fight off unwanted approach, I admit, I am old. That was a real sign, people.
Meanwhile, I am in a "hotel" with a kitchenette, a misnomer, because it is a full kitchen! Like condos and apts and so forth. It unexpectedly has all utensils, pots, pans, and all kinds of kitchen gadgets.
I over packed! We can't believe how spacious and well appointed this "room" (3, actually) is!
Some pictures will come. Very scenic place, very historic, Abe Lincoln and Civil War stuff and things.
Carry on!

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