Saturday Open Thread - 8/17/24 - Road Trip
Good morning, friends!
We traveled a couple of weeks ago to Illinois, a state that feels almost foreign to a Texan!
This is our first trip anywhere that we saw no stray cats at the hotels. However, at a time when I had no camera, 6 raccoons in a straight line passed by the back door of the hotel on their way to the corn field that abutted the hotel parking lot. Corn fields everywhere!
Starved Rock State Park was fascinating and fun. It is the site of an important fort, Fort Saint Louis du Rocher, that was strategically positioned atop Starved Rock, overlooking the Illinois river.
Hiking opportunities galore. Going from corn and soy bean fields for hundreds of miles to this terrain was shocking. I will leave it to you to sort out the folklore about the death of Chief Pontiac, the supposed tribe members who jumped off Starved Rock to their deaths rather than stay atop the rock while besieged and slowly starve to death. History on the whole series of events seems to change from time to time.
What is stable and solid is the state park. Man, is it incredible! And I cannot believe there is no entrance charge, no parking fees. I can't think of any state park in any state that just says, "Come on, take a look, bring your family for free!"
Below are photos and videos from our hikes.
First we visited Illinois Canyon. Not much of a falls, more like a beautiful grotto.
The next day we visited St. Louis Canyon which features a spectacular falls. It's also the site of the infamous Starved Rock Murders that happened back in 1960.
We did 3 hikes, likely a total of 10 miles of climbing, walking on logs, walking on rocks, climbing up embankments, walking up steep stairs, so I am proud of us for being so bad ass! We will return, hike the 3 or 4 trails to canyons we did not have time to visit.
Ottawa, Illinois is the site of the historic First Lincoln-Douglas debate. We visited the park in the city, Washington Square Park, that has statues dedicated to the event, as well as memorials to other wars, listing Ottawa residents who died in the Spanish-American War, WWI, etc...A beautiful place, consisting of a city block. It is difficult to describe what I felt to step into the exact place where US history made a change. There was the before, then the after.
We saw evidence of armadillos all the way through Texas, Arkansas, and even Missouri, but the Texas armadillos are just a part of the local characteristics and distinctions. Mr. Gary P. Nunn mansplains it in his first song in this live concert at Albert Dance Hall. Sweet man, great hugs!
Jerry Jeff Walker did the famous version of Nunn's song at Luckenbach, Texas, a place we frequently hang out. Pick your favorite version.
Well, I hope you enjoy the various and sundry pictures, videos, but what I want to know is how you are perceiving this nutso world, nutso people, and maybe the music that helps you through the day! In other words, this is an Open Thread, your opportunity to share with us whatever you desire.
Wishes, dreams, gripes, fists in the air moments, pleasant pet stories, and any and all music that demonstrates and expresses where you are coming from!
Can't wait for your comments, friends!
Let 'er rip!
Comments
Good morning, friends!
I believe the only good news is the good things going on in your neck of the woods.
I hope to hear from everyone!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
As we were hiking
back from the St. Louis canyon, I happened to see something that looked like a snake in a tree. A closer look showed it to be a vine. What a relief!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
You were lucky
It is corn puma season. They are vicious!
That is my old stomping ground. I loved Starved Rock since I was a kid. But if you want to see corn fields, drive from there to Colorado. We did that one year for vacation. Days of corn fields.
(my brother made up corn pumas to scare my kids.)
I am not a kid, but a corn puma would scare me! Lol!
While I am used to seeing farms and crops everywhere in rural areas, I was surprised to see corn fields within city limits, and right beside business districts.
The first time I visited the area, we stayed at Grizzly Bear Lodge. Ordinarily, we would have hiked some trails from that spot, but it was the height of COVID. People were supposed to keep a social distance from each other, which isn't really possible on a narrow and winding path.
When we drive to Colorado, we are coming from a different direction, so we miss those corn fields of which you speak.
Glad you stopped by this morning, and I do envy you being so attached to and familiar with this great state park.
Have a wonderful day, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good Morning...
Looks and sounds like a great trip. Nice to travel but I always enjoy getting back home.
I can happily report nuclear war didn't break out this week (so far). Finally getting a few rains this month. We're dry again, but we got 1.5" over the last two days. Another rain likely today.
Y'all have a good one, and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
Yeah, a really fun trip, but getting back home, settling in until the next trip, is a real comfort. I think the only trip I never wanted to end was a tour of Vienna. I actually researched to see if it would be possible to retire there.
I wish it were possible to share rain! We were drenched and flooded at least twice this summer.
We are currently in a heat wave. Heat index this morning is 103 deg. in the shade. Warnings for heat stroke conditions are being posted. There are t-storms forecast for Tuesday and Thursday this coming week.
This is a dangerous time to work outside.
Well, if the Ukies drop some dirty bombs on Russia's two nuclear power plants, who knows what the response will be.
I haven't had time to read the latest info on who blew up the Nordstream pipeline. As Europe gets really cold this winter, there may finally be a break between the EU, NATO, and Ukraine. If one wallows in shit, one will smell like shit. Being bff with Zelensky might start getting old.
Would you agree with me that stopping price increases on groceries is stupid? If everything that brings food to the table is costing more by the day, why would farmers and ranchers continue to operate at a loss?
Just asking for a friend.
LO, have a wonderful day, make some music, and keep on growing your food, dear friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Game, set and match?
https://thecradle.co/articles/how-a-brics-trio-is-staring-down-israel
.
Well that would put a huge dent in Israel’s bombing of Palestinians wouldn’t it? And maybe have an effect on the murderous goons in the West Bank. Whether it just temporarily knocks out power it could be a great threat to Israel.
"Make peace or stay in the Stone Age."
Palestine might join BRICS and come under the protection of Russia and China…..
If Biden actually wants a ceasefire he can pick up the phone. Weird way to say you want it whilst sending Israel billions more in weapons and flooding the area with ships, planes and bombs.
Very interesting article.
Wish I could see your pictures. I could make out Lincoln. Sounds like your trip was fun.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Book mark it for the future when
you will be able to see. I hope that is soon, amirite?
Gotta read that article! Will comment on it shortly.
Is my client a good seeing eye dawg?
Take care, chica. We must hope Israel as it exists today, with genocidal ideology running the show, will not exists as it is in the near future.
If Brics can bring an end to the constant threat to Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Sam still helps me back out
the driveway, but then she is too busy looking at the sites to help going forward.
I scraped a huge flap of skin on my arm cuz I tripped over her toy. Barely caught myself from falling down the stairs and my arm paid the price. Black and blue, bloody and painful.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Good grief!
Bad as your arm is, imagine the wreck you would have had flipping down a flight of stairs!
I will have that talk with my client about putting her toys away.
Escobar is always excellent. His knowledge of BRICS is without peer. The assistance Iran gets from Russia and China could change the dynamics of the entire Middle East.
I am pretty encouraged by the development.
Thanks for bringing us the Cradle article.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It’s raining here so no walk today
I’ve been watching videos by Larry Johnson on his site.
This one talks about Kursk and also what Iran might do.
https://sonar21.com/the-united-states-is-preparing-to-jettison-volodomyr...
You can go to his homepage and watch others. He has an interview with Pepe, but no video.
I like his calm way of discussing things unlike the Slobva one posted last night. Too many umms bugs me.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
I really like Johnson.
I am gonna set up my lap top in a bit, will watch this video, maybe some more of Johnson's stuff.
Dear One is reviewing music videos he has recorded at lots of concerts we have seen. I don't want a video to conflict with the roaring music!
I do not regularly go to Johnson's website, but just wait for him to go on the Judge's show.
I may develop a new habit.
I will get back with you after I watch it.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Great video!
Bye bye Zelensky!
I see youtube is punishing the Judge by a week long banning. Wonder what's up with that?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Where did you see that?
Unbelievable.
This one talks about Seth Rich. A few weeks old but I missed it.
https://sonar21.com/talking-ukraine-gaza-and-seth-rich-with-judge-napoli...
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
It was on the Larry Johnson video
you posted. Said to spread the word, follow the Judge on Bitchute.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
The one I posted?
If so dunno how I missed it, but I was reading while listening.
I see it now. He doesn’t offer reader view so I just watch video because the print is too light unless I enlarge the page so much it’s a PITA to read it.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
It was likely flagged
and noticed after your post. It was in blue, in brackets, like it was an alert.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
An example of why you can't trust the news about Russia
I saw this article today.
Why does this matter? Because for months I've seeing mocking articles like this.
When Russia does it it is laughable. But when Ukraine does the exact same thing, it's smart.
BTW, I thought this was interesting.
Good afternoon, pal!
Whatever I read in msm, I immediately believe the opposite is true. It is blatant propaganda, 24/7.
Thanks for sharing the interesting article.
Have a great day!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning oct, et. al. Farmers' market today.
Sounds and looks like a great trip. Very interesting question regarding food prices, which I suspect was triggered by some political sloganizing by the pseudoleft party. We went from our local farmers' market to a nearby supermarket for a few cans of canned product and stuff like bananas that aren't grown locally, so both sides of all of the questions come to mind. Actual Farmers deserve to make a decent living. agribusinesses, due to economies of scale, get erich at price points such that real farmers are scraping buy, which is not cool. If you get food from supermarkets, you're also looking at oil bidness, always gouging, and agribusiness fertilizer costs, lately extra excessive because of US sanctions on the providers.
Supermarkets: Grocery retail was historically a low margin enterprise, but not so much anymore. Various factors, one of which is all of the mergers. A company worth 1x will sell for 2x which is financed such that total payment stream is 3.5 x when interest and rip-off fees are included. Rinse and repeat, 10 cents worth of cooked and canned beans sells for a buck fifty, and almost of that, in the end, goes to banks and speculators. That's the beauty of capitalism, it is both the plan and the process, the first thieves accumulate ever more and more capital without themselves ever performing a useful service. I said oil companies all gouge, but they don't because the law of the market is "whatever the market will bear", so nothing that people can be forced by the markets to pay can ever be anything but a "fair price".
A guy with a clipboard walked up to me at the farmers' market and asked if I was going to vote in November nad I said yes. Then he asked if I was a democrat. I said "No. I once was, but then they turned into Republicand" and he just walked away. I hope what I said eventually sinks in.
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 think small farmers and small scale ranchers
doing business like their family has done for generations, just have no way to compete with agribusiness. There is much noise around the world about food control. Most of the time, it is due to climate change measures crushing small farms, but somehow the WEF and Gates seem to know best about how much food the global population requires, and what foods. Aren't we lucky Shwaub and Gates are expert farmers. Oh, wait...
Just yesterday, I spoke with a friend who is thinking about arranging to have one of his cows fed up and sent to the locker plant. Seems with the expense of feed, required vaxes and health tags, the high price of hay, then the processing cost, and on top of that, lots of meat just goes to burger. He is wondering if just going to the grocery store to buy the cuts of meat the family prefers is just easier and cheaper, at the end of the day.
Around here, some families have made good money growing hay. Then, we start these insane sanctions on Russia, suddenly what fertilizer is even available, is unaffordable. The unfertilized hay is lower in protein, not helpful in producing heavy and meaty carcass in cattle. In other words, it is pointless to grow it, feed it, and not saleable.
I can see grocery store conglomerates can price fix, but so can food processors, so can trucking companies. Just not the little guy.
I wish I had been there when you educated the canvasser. One day, he may awaken to the truth.
Well, we just discovered we will be gone to Gulf Shores at the precise time a boogie woogie festival kicks off in Marshall, Texas. Marshall claims to be the home of boogie woogie. Who knew?
Your trips to the Farmer's Market sounds so cool. We just do not have them around here. People tend to grow edible crops for their families, not to sell.
Thanks for dropping in, dear friend. It is always great to "see" you!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Not sure if this is propaganda but I imagine a few heads will
explode anyway.
The rest of the tweet:
humphrey,
what new developments is Musk bringing to end the Special Military Operations?
hmmm...
Thanks for stopping by with an X for us to read!
A good friend can be counted on to do that!
Have a great weekend, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Great pics, otc
That water looks so clean you could drink it straight up.
Been through Illinois a dozen times but never stopped to smell the roses. You are right about the endless corn fields. Always on my way to/fro West Virginia and environs.
Crazy nutsos wielding our military machine are going to get us all vaporized.
At what point do these maniacs become recognized as a threat to national security? After a massive nuclear exchange will be too late.
They all need to be dispatched before they destroy the world, no matter how damn much money they have.
We should convert all their money into pennies and fill their graves to the top, the more pennies the deeper the hole.
That way they can take it with 'em.
Watching for a nuclear false flag in Ukraine to blame on Russia or an American Carrier Battle Group sunk by Israel by the same means. How old is the Roosevelt again?
Remember the USS Liberty!
Thanks for the OT.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
The best time was when the screaming
5 year old and his parents left, the 20 somethings stopped giggling and taking selfies, and we could just see and hear the water falling. It was crystal clear.
The trails had an almost jungle feel with all the green growth, bushes, trees, etc...JtC says when he was growing up, the park rangers kept it clear.
There was a cluster of ferns in the stone beside the fall that were so perfectly situated, so healthy, they appeared to have been planted.
The false flag thingie is always on my mind. Don't forget Israel has already attacked a US ship and we looked the other way. Next time, we just might call it a Hezbollah attack and bomb Iran because our bestest ally Israel investigated it and say so. Israel has that stated goal, and we are a stupid country. Perfect set up to drop nukes.
Russia is too honest and honorable to do such a thing, but if they were to do something or other in their country, blame it on Ukraine, I would say Game Over for that little war.
I dream of being taken to the rich people's post nuke bunkers to work for them. Let's just say, I would make sure I lived longer than them.
It didn't have to be this way, friend.
Have a great weekend, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Absolutely DISGUSTING! There is no limit to Israeli depravity.
I have rescued horses
over the course of my life. Maybe I made a mistake watching that video.
Anybody, ANYBODY, no matter what their race, creed, color, country, who supports that cruelty and thinks it is justified should burn in Hell. Any country or society that has mores that cause that kind of behavior as though it were normal and righteous needs to be closed off from the rest of the world for the world's protection.
I will do my best not to be swamped by hatred, but instead make sure I find a way to break any tie I may have with Zionist Israel.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It appears as if murdering innocent civilians is not enough to
satisfy their blood lust.
I probably made a mistake watching the video
of that gang rape of the Palestinian prisoner, too. And the ones of dead babies. And the ones killing people carrying white kerchiefs in their hands. And the ones killing food deliverers. And journalists. And so forth and so on.
Germany has spent nearly 80 years seeking redemption from the world for the Holocaust. In the minds of many, they ain't there yet.
78 years of Israeli atrocities will require a few centuries for the country to redeem itself. If that is even possible.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Of all things, this caught my attention.
I met a guy a couple of months ago. He and his wife were our vacay rental neighbors. He said he was taking statins, hadn't felt well since.
Get this Big Pharma shit:
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hi all, Hi OtC,
Hi all, Hi OtC,
Sounds like an awesome trip! I musta missed the best parts of IL the few times I was there. I remember lots of corn fields.
Maybe I did not see IL's best. Ask JtC how is East St. Louis? And then ask about S. Halsted St. on the south side. Best damnned break dancing I have ever seen in my life. None ever matched. I was the white guy in a suit. 
Spent a week in Chicago before I knew that park on the lake Obama is F'n up tearing out 500 year old oaks for his monolith to his ego was a stellar birding spot. Jackson I think. Did do the Greek restaurants downtown for lunch every day though. Holy sheeet the food!But I sure did not see anything like yer pics! It looks awesome. Oh yeah, Midlothian, how's that? Sold a florist a sign there. LOL The place you show looks very very like some at Lost Maples St. Pk. here in my area. In a wet year anyway, not so much now. It is parched here.
I skipped around this a bit today in between and thought it was good... a long Tucker intereview with Casey and Calley Means on nutrition and health vs Big Pharma and Big Food which is making us and keeping us, sick. I think it worth watching.
https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1824502384254693487
I gotta fly... THANKS for the OT, and all the great commenters too!
happy trails all!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
thanks for flying by
.
.
your perspectives are always enlightening!
Listening to the the loons on a lake in Maine.
You would love it, quite sure. Vociferous.
Imagining what they are enunciating.
cheers
Hey QMS
Ahoy Capt.!
Yeah man, what a sound, eh? Nothing like loons. I think everyone should have to hear them in person at least once. But at least there is utube. Thanks for the vid! What a beautiful bird in breeding plumage. In winter they lose all that and are brown above and dirty whitish below. They breed on freshwater, and most winter on saltwater, in drab plumage. All 4 species are gorgeous in summer attire.
There is a place in the eastern Sierra Nevada between Bishop and Mammoth, Convict Lake, at about 8000' with granite cliffs 3000' high coming right down to lake edge all around. Once I was there in spring and there were at least 10-13 of them in breeding plumage like the thumbnail. They were all calling their heads off, and it was echoing off the granite cliffs into one solid never ending loon call with more and more getting stacked on, all echoing. A couple hours went by I was so mesmerized. There were no chemicals or alcohol involved in this particular observation. Just to be clear.
You can drive there off Hwy 395.
GREAT you got to hear them!
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein
omigod, I gotta go there!
A road trip!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I am half way thru the vid, my friend.
Share it far, share it wide!
What an eye opener! Or, what a confirmation for skeptics, of which I count myself!
Some folks here might just live longer if they listen to it, dysto.
Incredible truth!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Dysto,
I finally remembered to ask JtC about East St. Louis and S. Halsted St. His response: Don't go there.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
People now have a choice.
I had never heard of him but he does sound not bad.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2024/08/17/green-party-candidate...
Green Party 2024 presidential candidate Dr Jill Stein selected Butch Ware, a historian of West Africa at the University of California, Santa Barbara as her vice presidential running mate.
“I'm so grateful to have Butch with us, with his amazing powerful voice and to be in this together as a Muslim African-American and as a Jewish white woman, this is like a team made in heaven,” said Dr Stein at an online rally Friday night.
Dr Stein, an activist for the Palestinian cause, was expected to pick an Arab American as her vice presidential running mate. Other prospective candidates included Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee national executive director Abed Ayoub and Noura Erakat, a Palestinian-American activist and human rights attorney.
“We had wonderful candidates but because we had always centred genocide, we really wanted a leading voice who is very directly connected with the genocide,” said Dr Stein.
“I feel like I've learned so much just in my conversations with him [Mr Ware] and watching his material over the course of this last week because genocide is very much in focus … imperialism and colonialism are very much in focus.”
Mr Ware, who focuses on genocide, taught at the University of Michigan for 10 years and earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
“I am a scholar and I am a teacher. I've studied revolutionary movements and struggles. But know this that if I am called into a fight, the fight for the struggle of freedom in our time, I am not going to back down from that fight,” Mr Ware after the announcement. He added that he would help win over votes in both of the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania.
In Michigan, the Arab American vote carries significant weight and is credited with helping US President Joe Biden win the state during the 2020 presidential election.
Since the start of the war, Arab Americans in Michigan have protested the policies of President Joe Biden's administration on the Israel-Gaza war and vowed not to support his administration in this election. Dr Stein is expected to win over Arab American voters who traditionally voted for the Democratic party and are angered by Israel-Gaza war that has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.
Good news!
I had intended to vote fore Stein anyway, but this may indicate my vote means something besides a protest against the ptb.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Caitlin
.
It’s just like that. I watched an old video of Blinken saying that Israel’s must have a plan to reduce civilian causes before they started bombing Gaza again. It’s okay to kill some civilians, but just keep the numbers down.
Israel bombed Lebanon today and killed 10 civilians.
Biden thinks that there will be a ceasefire agreement next week even though Hamas isn’t taking part in the talks. He knows that there can be a ceases right gawd damn now if he wanted one. Instead we get this stalling bullshit while Israel keeps bombing Gaza. Kinda like his stupid peer which got people not talking about how Israel is starving Palestinians.
Trump just told Netanyahu that he willingly give him everything he needs to finish killing Palestinians ASAP so that the killing stops. MIGA instead of MAGA.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
We are #1. We can accomplish the impossible!
USA! USA!
If I weren't so old, I would join the Marines!
Yeah!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I just stepped out onto my front porch
and the LED light came on, showed me mamma and baby raccoon at the bird feeder.
Earlier today, I spied a bunny running around the yard.
I prefer them to my neighbors, just sayin'.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981