@Cassiodorus Burning incense is fun, and I have a pile of limbs and brush ready for a match.
Remarkable how all winter solstice rituals from all religions just happen to coincide with a Christian celebration. Surely what I was taught in college about Christians deliberately moving Jesus' date of birth to coincide with the various heathen to more easily absorb them into the 'hood is bull shit, amirite?
Have a wonderful weekend, mister!

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti!

The Day of the Birth of the Unconquered Sun!

Hellenic Faith suggests:

The Holiday
Awake early around 5:15 AM to mindfully watch the sunrise (Which typically rises at 5:38 AM)

You may light a bonfire if you wish, which is traditional.

Provide an offering:

Incense is an excellent offering. Seven sticks/cones of incense is a good number, thanks to the number 7’s association with King Helios as an association of the sun’s seven rays.
An animal sacrifice is another good choice, as long as it is not cattle, the sacred animal of Helios.

@humphrey Britain was in the lead. And that Israel was of no influence.
Strange. Up until now, I have read where Britain supported the US efforts, such efforts mostly for Israel with their assistance, as well.
Who is getting the rotation wrong? Interesting stuff, to say the least.

In 2011, Britain began a campaign to overthrow Syria's Bashir al-Assad, in cooperation with its key allies the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Military training was given to armed opposition forces who were often collaborating with jihadist groups.https://t.co/coo90Ap00G

— Declassified UK (@declassifiedUK) December 21, 2024

The first few paragraphs from the article.

https://www.declassifieduk.org/when-britain-aided-al-qaeda-in-syria/

Beginning in 2011, Britain embarked on a campaign to overthrow the Bashir al-Assad regime in Syria, in cooperation with its key allies the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

Military training and weapons were given to armed opposition forces who were often collaborating with jihadist groups, in effect supporting and empowering them.

One major beneficiary of the secret campaign was Jabhat Al-Nusra, the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria founded by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who later rebranded his militant force as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Al-Jolani now appears to be the key power-broker in Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime. He has been presenting his ‘moderate’ credentials to the West for some years, with great effect.

Former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers now says that HTS is more a “liberation movement” than a terrorist force, despite being a proscribed organisation in the UK.

Similarly, foreign secretary David Lammy recently told parliament that while Al-Qaeda has killed “hundreds of British citizens in barbaric attacks spanning decades”, HTS has offered “reassurances” and should be “judged by their actions”.

@snoopydawg Awful man from every perspective, in my opinion.

they should all be running scared.

Report: Netanyahu won’t attend Auschwitz liberation anniversary event, fearing arrest by Poland https://t.co/wmzTWoYkxn

— susan abulhawa | سوزان ابو الهوى (@susanabulhawa) December 20, 2024

How many countries has Putin visited after he got the arrest warrant? Hmm?

@Pluto's Republic @Pluto's Republic Tariffs...interest rates... factory closures...I have so many qualms about the theory and practice of evs. For example, where I live, I am 35 miles from the nearest station to charge a battery. Depending on where I go, I could be hundreds of miles between stations. The hybrid Ford Truck experiment died on the vine when the CEO got stranded in his cross-country test drive for marketing purposes. After that disaster, they stopped making them. It was a disaster.
Bring on the affordable and convenient infrastructure, and people will buy evs, unless the economy crashes and none of of us can afford anything, which is predicted for Happy New Year 2025.
My position is our US lack of infrastructure for EVS, not a comment on China and tariffs.
Always good to "see you", chica, and Happy Holidays!
edit: US lenders are always out for blood. Banksters are gansters.

.
...for the United States — a nation with inefficient infrastructure, scant affordable public transportation, and general roadside blight. The nation's automobile sales and the necessary vehicle ownership required by the US population is often seen as a leading economic indicator. It can be used predict the future health and well-being of the general economy.

Late night viewers may enjoy this video overview of the real economy and real costs challenging US automobile dealers and automobile shoppers alike in 2025. It's not a comfortable picture. One prevailing problem is the 100 percent tariff that has been imposed on Chinese car imports (and high tariffs imposed on many other US consumer necessities). For example if the MSRP of an imported Chinese EV is $20,000 when it arrives in the US, the US customs officer at the arrival Port will charge a $20,000 fee (tariff) in order to clear the car through Customs. This tariff fee is usually paid by the US importer, who then adds it to the wholesale cost of the car — effectively doubling the car's sticker price to $40,000. In this way, the tariff is instantly passed down to US consumers, who will have paid the tariff that is included in the purchase price of the vehicle. This is true of all tariffs on consumer goods, which is the source of inflation in the United States.

This US tariff policy effectively blocks the American middle class from acquiring a technologically advanced, very-high-quality Chinese EV for an affordable $20,000 dollars. At that lower price, the car would be a significant economic boost for both US consumers and for the general health of the US economy. Unfortunately, US consumers are missing out on this unprecedented one-time economic boost to their current life style budget. The super-affordable EV with its futuristic battery technology, its unheard of driving distance on one gallon of gas, and its game-changing fuel savings for commuters and businesses. The automotive industry and supply chain businesses are also missing out on an automotive sales sensation — and an economic boost for car parts businesses and automotive dealers who sell the EVs.

Instead, the trade war with China, aggressively imposed by the US, is already leading the automobile industry into an early economic catastrophe. Restricting the affordable EVs is not "saving American jobs." In fact, American jobs are being lost right now. The bad for business policies of the politically-deranged US has carmakers, both foreign and domestic, making announcements that they are cutting jobs and cutting the size of their US businesses in 2025 and 2026 by one-quarter to one-third. Some carmakers are simply throwing in the towel. They are all admitting that they cannot build a new-technology, family vehicle that would be affordable for 60 percent of working class, middle class, and subsidized or retired Americans.

The Car Market Crash of 2025 appears to be underway, The writing is on the wall. The video presents the full impact of the actual economic numbers caused by the dogmatic, know-nothing career politicians and the corporate stooges who are elected to the House and Senate in Washington DC. These political operatives are famous for ignoring the pressing needs and living catastrophes of ordinary American workers and hard-pressed US consumers. Their bad legislation has already caused the car market crash of 2025 that will negatively impact the entire US economy. All to look tough and to start a war with a country that they cannot legitimately compete with.

.
Details discussed in this video:

Nissan is dying… emergency mode 9K people are losing jobs

25K Ram pickups sitting over 220 days

An oversupply of new 2024 and 23 models still sitting in lots

Vicious cycle: Consumer doesn’t buy, dealer inventory goes through the roof, dealers turn away allocations, manufacturers cut production, job layoffs begin… extended impact on already struggling economy.

Insurance premiums have more than doubled in most states in the last 2-3 years.

Crazy high interest rates, and spikes in the MSRPs.

According to Edmonds: $760 is the average new vehicle monthly payment.

1/6 car buyers will agree to a car loan over 1K per month.

1/5 auto loans were declined in the last quarter.

Repossessions are spiking — up 23 percent compared to one year ago. People just stop paying for their vehicles.

Today’s average interest rates are 7.2% on new 11.4% in used vehicles.

Between the cost of vehicles now and higher interest rates and much higher insurance rates — people aren’t buying.

Although the price of new cars will be coming down due to over supply, cost of living increases across the board — mortgage payments, rent payments, insurance, health insurance costs, continuing grocery inflation — are suppressing new car sales.

For example, Tundras are sitting in dealerships nationwide for 200 to 300 days. Which is why Toyota dealers are getting desperate. But knocking $12K off the price is not enough to make a sale.

The Average Negative equity in cars owned is $7200 per vehicle in the US. 1 out 5 consumers with negative equity owe $10K more on their auto loan than what the vehicle is currently worth.

Auto loan debt is at a record high right now.

Outside of Tesla, EV sales have totally crapped the bed. Even Tesla prices have taken a dive.

Dealers can’t justify their profit markups because lenders won’t approve inflated loans for cash-strapped Americans. It is much easier to inflate the profits when “money is cheap” at 1 or 2 percent interest rates.

Buyers will soon have more control due to terrible economic conditions for Dealers caused by tariffs that don't benefit the middle class. Numerous dealerships will soon have steeply discounted new cars and trucks to choose from, but consumers that need basic transportation may be buying unsustainable old technology with long-term higher interest rates and higher fuel costs. Non-Chinese EVs will be priced starting at $45,000, without the cutting edge technology.

@orlbucfan are NOT!
Years ago, I read his book, likely co-authored, but if true, he worked hard. I mean, practice, practice, over and over, daily. One reason why any of his songs sounds one, and only one way. The details of each musical "turn", vocal seeming ad lib...it was rehearsed, perfected.
Anyway, glad you are so familiar with Petty and the Allman Bros.
I know little of their personal lives, but appreciate that their music has enriched my existence here on this mostly crappy earth.

with the Heartbreakers in Gainesville. I know cos I got a BA in Stetson in DeLand, and had plenty of opportunities to see him in Gainesville on acid. Once he started making coin, he split. He got full of himself cos he was from here. So was Duane Allman and the Allman Bros. band. I Am OVER the horseshit that everyone who lives here is a dumbass. I sure as hell am not!