Open Thread - Thurs 12 Sep 2024 - What is this?

What is This?

The title of this oped, 'The NYT publisher just wrote the most insulting editorial ever printed — inside the pages of the WaPo ', intrigued me, even though it was on Alternet. After reading the opinion piece, I don't really agree with everything the writer, D. Earl Stephens, is saying, even though it's true that the media often ignores Donald Trump's grossness, crimes, and so on. I do agree that the current media world is driven by money and only money: as the Stephens says,

Money is the impetus that drives too much of what we are being forced to consume in today’s polluted media landscape, and the American public is suffering mightily because of that.

But this problem isn't only about Trump or the right wing. Does the media really ignore Donald Trump? I mean, I don't think Donald Trump would be what he is without the non-stop incessant blathering of the media, blathering that has happened for years and years. That blathering may often ignore the failures of Trump, his crimes, his grossness. Although, I dunno, it seems like two out of three articles on, say, Alternet, are about Donald Trump. Isn't that giving him attention and fame even if it's negative? I mean, Trump was a close friend of the Clintons, once, right? Why not pay attention to that? And he was not always Republican https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Donald_Trump right (he's changed his party affliation 5 times)? And he supported abortion once (or twice, or whatever), https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/09/politics/trump-abortion-stances-timeline/... right?

And that's enough about Trump for me! Smile Whatcha think about Stephen's opinion piece? Ohh, and I want to note that the coverage of Harris is just as nonsensical and stupid. This whole election is a farce.

I haven't paid much attention to the presidential debate that happened a day or two ago, although I've read a few articles and watched a Lee Camp (long show, it's 'live') piece about it.

I just can't bring myself to care. My local news had a poll that one could take, asking who we supported for President. There were only two choices. There was not even a third, 'none of the above', choice. How very American!

Now, onto something fun. What kind of bird is this? And does anyone know why it's got the yellow leg tag? It showed up at our farm a few days ago, and tried to make friends with Nikko! And yet, it is a 'wild' bird, near as we can tell.

unknown_bird_07_sep_2024.jpg
Unknown Bird, Trying to Befriend Nikko

And one last fun but weird thing. This hornet/wasp like bug, which is about 1.5 inches long, showed up in our greenhouse. We leave the door open for beneficial bugs to come in and in came this guy, or girl as it seems to be. I think it's a horntail; it definitely had the two 'stingers' that the female horntails have. We have never seen one here before, ever. In fact, I've never seen one in my life, up until this one came by a few days ago! I took it out of the greenhouse and let it go, and it flew up into the sky and towards the sun. Go lady, go!

horntail_maybe_07_sep_2024.jpg
Horntail Wasp, Maybe?

Thanks for reading this post. Here's the open thread - remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!

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QMS's picture

.
sorry but couldn't help with the ID on bird and bug
anyway, Francine kicked the bayous of southern
Louisiana again. My old stomping grounds Lafourche
parish is probably flooded. Infrastructure damage across
the region has about 375,000 without power. Don't miss
those hurricanes. Beautiful day here though.

Thanks for the OT Sima!

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Sima's picture

@QMS
and our lower fields flood in the winter creating a lake I call lake Wintermere. But I could never, I think, take the flooding that the Bayous get. Gads. I hope your day is a good one!

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3 users have voted.

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

No time this morning to read the article, can't ID the critters, although that bird looks familiar.
Maybe after work I can do some snooping.
The morning trial involves a child who had been illegally removed from his home and school by his mom. The afternoon trial involved removing a child from his mom who allows her bf to beat the child.
I guess I didn't really have to have children to take care of them.
People are nuts.
Enjoy your day with student Nikko, and thanks for the OT.

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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

Sima's picture

@on the cusp
Very true words! I've no children either, but I care for them too! I'm glad you are helping them in court. Have a good day, with successful court work, and good weekend!

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2 users have voted.

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 I won both cases!
Time for beer and pizza!

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4 users have voted.

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

QMS's picture

@on the cusp
.
when it works
it comes in spades

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4 users have voted.

@QMS They tell me I am cool!

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3 users have voted.

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

Sima's picture

@on the cusp
You rock! Of course Smile

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3 users have voted.

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 well behaving clients. I spent lot of time coaching on how to act in court, how to dress, how to address the judge, how to properly respond to questioning, how to avoid being suckered into an argument with opposing counsel, and just having strong cases, good facts.
At any rate, the 4 yr old boy will stay with his wonderful Dad, the 12 yr old will now stay with his wonderful dad, neither will be beaten, neither will be abducted by a crazy mom, and they have a chance to thrive.
And, I managed this with a breakfast of a cookie and coffee, and a lunch of an energy bar. Must say, the evening with pizza and cold beer was great! I am pretty wiped out, now that the adrenaline rush has dissipated.
I think of retiring, then have days like this.
Not yet. Not yet.
Someday...

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5 users have voted.

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

TheOtherMaven's picture

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3 users have voted.

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Sima's picture

@TheOtherMaven @TheOtherMaven
I can't tell that it is, because it's not paywalled to me and it's under Alternet All-Access. I have never given alternet money. My apologies that is paywalled to you Sad

up
3 users have voted.

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

QMS's picture

@Sima
.
.
somethings' work and others do not
depending somewhat on your operating
theater -- when I get a slow-down or refusal
on this site, I would get concerned
other places require hidden handshakes?

cheers

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Socialprogressive's picture

I don't know what type of bug you got, but the bird looks like a nonbreeding adult/immature European Starling. But I'm no expert, so I could be wrong on that.
As for the election, I don't pay to much attention since nothing of any significance will change no matter who wins.

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

Sima's picture

@Socialprogressive
Huge flocks of them have started to appear around here in the last few years. They weren't here before that, although they were, obviously 'here'. Hubby says one of those flocks was around when that bird tried to befriend Nikko...

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4 users have voted.

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

Lookout's picture

It's not Russia. We have plenty of internal interference. MSM is just one example.

HarrisVSTrump_Study_V2.png
https://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/rich-noyes/2024/08/19/study-networks-de...

It is pretty obvious the dark state is after Trump, to the point of trying to assassinate him. I think Trump will win a true vote, but TPTB will prevent him really winning by cheating in some way or other.

Either way we get a genocidal president like Biden.

Sorry can't help with the bird or insect.

We're getting some much needed rain off of Francine today.
Screenshot 2024-09-12 at 09-24-03 Alabama U.S. Drought Monitor.png
They're calling for 3 inches or so. That'll help.

Got in winter ryegrass cover yesterday, and planted cabbages and so on Monday. So seems like good timing. Hope all is well on the homestead. Thanks for the OT!

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

Sima's picture

@Lookout
'Either way we get a genocidal president like Biden.'.

Three inches of rain at once would do us in, however, over a week? Great! Hope it's helping out there.

Cabbage planting is done? Awesome. Here, not so much, but then I am not doing any overwintering cabbages this year. We'll be planting garlic, onions, and a few other things soon. Thanks for stopping by!

up
3 users have voted.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

be from a rehabber or a researcher, probably the latter, and probably a female bird (left leg). No clue on the bug. Dysto would know, and likely correct my bird id too (I'm way out of practice).

Thanks for the link to Lee Camp, I'll give it a listen, time permitting.

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 --

Sima's picture

@enhydra lutris
of the bird depending upon sex. Good to know!

Could be a hermit thrush, I am not sure. I was thinking starling... who knows?

Hope you enjoy the Lee Camp video. I did Smile Have a great weekend!

up
2 users have voted.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

@Sima

The head movement makes it hard, but that is certainly more of a starling bill

be well and have a good one

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3 users have voted.

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's picture

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The ambassadors of the United Kingdom France, the Netherlands and Germany have been summoned to Iran's Foreign Ministry over allegations that Tehran sent ballistic missiles to Moscow, Iran's Mizan news agency reported on Thursday.

In short, Iran is & has been claiming that they did not ship missiles to the Rus and should not be sanctioned for so doing since there is no evidence that they did. Somebody posted pics of the ship that allegedly carried them and Iran mockingly offered a reward for anybody who can find any missiles in the pictures.

Since this whole story comes from Blinkin, the natural presumption should be that it is a bald faced lie, but the US' client states will no doubt run with it any way.

be well and have a good one

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9 users have voted.

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 --

Sima's picture

@enhydra lutris
yea, I trust what he says! Sure! Winkin, Blinkin and Nod! Always trustworthy!

up
2 users have voted.

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

QMS's picture

.
glad w/ traffic
course I only drive on local roads anymore
now that the summer people are gone
traffic is light so I'm glad
fewer snarls

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Sima's picture

@QMS
Thanks!

up
2 users have voted.

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

dystopian's picture

Hi all, Hey Sima,

Hope it's good all over out there!

The bird is a Eurasian Starling (Sturnis vulgaris). It is molting from the brown juvenile or immature plumage (upperparts) to its first-winter plumage (underparts). Once I saw them for sale as pets in a cage, with a label calling them American Mynah. Only in Chicago! Wink

I do not have experience with Horntails. So can't make a positive ID, but it does look like one, there are several types I think. The PNW loggers in particular call them "Tree-F'rs", due to the females egg-laying in trees with its long ovipositor. This concludes my knowledge about them. Smile

Thanks for the OT Sima!

happy trails all!

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7 users have voted.

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

Sima's picture

@dystopian
I was thinking the bird might have been a Starling, ohh, err, an American Mynah, Smile Smile but wasn't sure. It was so strange how friendly it was with Nikko, and then being banded, I had to wonder.

The horntail was so strange. It was so big, unlike any other wasp I've ever seen. And those two 'stingers'. Yikes. Calling them 'Tree-F'ers' makes sense. It's strange I've not seen them before, since I've lived in logging areas much of my life.

Have a great weekend!

up
3 users have voted.

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

dystopian's picture

@Sima HI again Sima,

Forgot to mention the band...

I cannot imagine some bander doing a color-band study on Starlings here. Color-banding requires a special additional rider on your banding permit. That does not look like a real color band to me. I can't see the other leg to be sure but I do not see a standard band. A bander would lose their permit if they put a color band on a bird without first putting the standard numbered silver aluminum USFW band on it. So, I think that is a homemade band. It looks too lose, and seems dangerous to me. They fit snugly against leg to not get snagged. And which means the bird had people contact and could explain its tame behavior.

Insect populations are often intensely boom or bust. I see things in good years that I go many years without seeing. It is almost the norm. They are nowhere near as stable as say most bird populations. Here the organic gardners love the Red Wasp Polistes carolina as it is crazy about 'worms' on plants. I do not know if Horntails provide such services.

Thanks again for the OT!

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3 users have voted.

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

QMS's picture

@dystopian
.
.
with your birds and bugs is truly amazing
so many things I would never imagine
thanks!

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Sima's picture

@dystopian
Hubby and I were wondering, the band was loose as you say. And there was nothing on the other leg at all. So we were a bit worried that someone's
'tame' starling got free, or something. It hasn't reappeared. Hopefully it went home, or is moving/migrating with the large starling flock that came by recently.

up
2 users have voted.

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