Open Thread Wed 29 JAN 25 ~ Lunar New Year

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 5:00am

happy-chinese-new-year-2025-zodiac-sign-year-of-the-snake-with-red-paper-cut-art-and-craft-style-vector-824990065.jpg

The year of the wood snake

新年进步 - xīn nián kuài lè - Happy New Year! Good luck and happiness.

The Year of the Snake in Chinese astrology symbolizes wisdom, transformation,
and introspection. It is a time for reflection and careful decision-making,

In 2025, the Heavenly Stem is Yi 乙, representing Wood, while the Earthly Branch
is Si 巳, representing Fire, thus establishing the year of Yisi 乙巳.
Wood gives rise to Fire. This interconnectedness results
in the Wood Snake exhibiting a notably complex personality,
embodying traits of both Wood and Fire.
Often associated with adaptability and strategic thinking.

造化 - zào huà - good luck

357164-800x534-Handwriting-Chinese-blessing-Fu-1398906665.jpg

Open thread. Share your wisdom below the fold.

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Submitted by Lookout on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 6:47am

Good morning...

Finishing up cleaning up around the pond today. It is a winter task because there are snakes around plus now there are no ticks, chiggers, and so on.

Invisible moon, Chinese calendar year 4723

@Lookout
.
Yes, ancient mythologies are fascinating. The Chinese calendar
is attributed to The Yellow Emperor, known as Huangdi (黄帝).
He is said to have lived around 2700 BCE. His legendary reign
is credited with the introduction of wooden houses, carts, boats,
the bow and arrow, and writing.

The Chinese calendar is solilunar in essence. A bit complicated
to sort out, but Chinese festivals are still tied to this method of
marking time. This being the Sring festival.

More info on the legends of Huangdi for the scholarly ..

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Huangdi

chinese.mythologyworldwide.com-The-Yellow-Emperor-A-Historical-Perspective.webp_.jpeg

Good luck with the pond.

—

question everything

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:03am

Something about the Great Wall

.
Not the Trump version
Sounds a bit Dylanish

Enjoy!

—

question everything

Submitted by usefewersyllables on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:49am

I actually wish

that I was working from home today- it would be sadly amusing to watch the Kennedy confirmation hearing, if only to reinforce how much I've come to hate the dem party. I suspect that what they are going to do to RFKjr will reset the high-water mark in public character assassinations.

Some pharma-owned repubs will get their licks in as well, no doubt, but I suspect that the dems are loaded for bear.

I'll be happy when they finally go the way of the Whigs, if I should live so long.

—

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 11:42am

The Lies that have been pulling your chain since 1987

Watch this report and witness the Truth. The Truth is what the rest of the world already knows.
.

Help Make 2025 the Year of the Truth.

—

Carry a burning candle and share the light.

Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:05pm

Thanks for the invite, QMS.

I've shared my wisdom, above.

I wish for the gift of worthwhile knowledge for the American People, the most brainwashed population in the world. It is the one thing that will help them survive.

—

Carry a burning candle and share the light.

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 11:50am

Enjoyed the Tiananmen clip

@Pluto's Republic
.
VOA broadcasting liberal mythology creating
a massive Mandela set moment and supporting
a collective false memory. Hmm, there is a pattern
of this mental subjugation. Lies and truth. Some are
still able to discern the difference.

—

question everything

Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:06pm

Knowing the difference

@QMS

....between lies and truth, is the key to survival in the future United States.

This is something the bamboozled who remain in the US should work on right away. The Neocons are going to hold onto the American hostages until the bitter end.

—

Carry a burning candle and share the light.

Submitted by soryang on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 1:07pm

Great video PR

@Pluto's Republic

Thanks for posting Plutosrepublic!

Intuitively, I felt the US embassy was involved, and that the story was fishy. At that time VOA was just about the only source of info for USians in Korea, and felt the story was overkill and probably not true. (aka 狗屁 - gǒu pì - BS, credit QMS) I've learned to trust my judgement on these matters. But some years later after I left Korea, I did follow up and I read some of the reports the narrator recounts in the video. I went through that again, when the trouble stirred up again in Hong Kong a few years ago. I'm glad this video made a record putting the key points together in one place.

—

語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 1:51pm

Eventually, the historic truth will be established.

@soryang

Meanwhile, like hostages, Americans are living in a fuzzy period that clouds our certainty. The technology Giants are being coerced by the Plutocrats to deny or deflect or bury the truth. Thus, the period of fuzzy reality is endlessly extended. (This process also provide deniability for the Plutocrat's deadly 'contributions' which in turn, satisfy their own self interests). It's a dirty business that is held in place by brainwashing the US population — aka... US Democracy.

Those who know the truth must find the courage to speak up.

Your own intuition is very good. Look inward when in doubt.

—

Carry a burning candle and share the light.

Submitted by soryang on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:11pm

Lunar New Year poem

Got this poem from a new years episode of Dr. Gao she recorded a couple of years ago. The poem below starts at 8:42. She explains this and another New Year poem well in her video. Some new year customs and mythology are described in the first 8 min.

Poetry for Lunar New Year Celebration

New Year’s Day
by Wang Anshi 王安石 (1021-1086 AD)

The sound of bamboo firecrackers sees out the old year.
Spring winds bring warmth as we drink Tusu wine.
The bright sun shines on thousands of household doors,
Time to put up new peach wood charms and take down the old

Good notes here- New Year's Day

This poem was written when the author first became prime minister and began to implement his new policies. In 1067, Emperor Shenzong of Song ascended the throne and appointed Wang Anshi as the prefect of Jiangning. He was soon appointed as a Hanlin scholar and imperial lecturer. In order to get rid of the political and economic crisis faced by the Song Dynasty and the constant invasion of Liao and Western Xia, in 1068, Emperor Shenzong summoned Wang Anshi to "take the lead in the court". Wang Anshi immediately wrote a letter advocating reform. The following year, he was appointed as the vice chancellor and presided over the reform. In the New Year of the same year, Wang Anshi saw that every family was busy preparing for the Spring Festival. He thought of the new atmosphere at the beginning of the reform and wrote this poem.

There is another (Jiawa) New Year's Day poem in the video by Kong Shangren 孔尚任 (1648-1718 AD). I think Dr. Gao's interpretations are excellent.

Had a good visit with the eye doctor today. I'm sure I took up to much of his time. He's Chinese American, but the last few generations of his family actually lived in Vietnam. His wife is Chinese. They like Kdramas. They speak English to each other. We talked about language and cultural exchange after I wished him Happy New Year and addressed him by name in Chinese. It was great fun! He showed me his favorite Korean drama.

He told me he really liked the romantic drama That winter, the Wind Blows. I hadn't seen it. I know it's very popular. He's much younger than I. The modern romances and soundtracks get millions of views.

I like this new historical drama- The Queen Who Crowns. Ironically, this is about Lee Bang-Won, King Li Seong-gae's son. Li was the founder of the Chosun Dynasty. Bon Won as the third King, has a reputation for being a harsh ruler who would stop at nothing to gain and retain the throne. Early on, he is locked in a power struggle with his father and his hot and cold relationship with his jealous queen. Many movies and dramas have been filmed on Bang-won's succession. In this drama, it turns out the queen is the power behind the throne, as the representative of a powerful family at court, and pushes Bang Won to extremes to gain and retain power. Great acting and character development. This is from the OST sound track by So Hyang, That Day:

—

語必忠信行必正直

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:27pm

Wonderful poetry

@soryang
.
Thank you for sharing it!

新年快乐

Got this poem from a new years episode of Dr. Gao she recorded a couple of years ago. The poem below starts at 8:42. She explains this and another New Year poem well in her video. Some new year customs and mythology are described in the first 8 min. Poetry for Lunar New Year Celebration New Year’s Day by Wang Anshi 王安石 (1021-1086 AD) The sound of bamboo firecrackers sees out the old year. Spring winds bring warmth as we drink Tusu wine. The bright sun shines on thousands of household doors, Time to put up new peach wood charms and take down the old Good notes here- New Year's Day This poem was written when the author first became prime minister and began to implement his new policies. In 1067, Emperor Shenzong of Song ascended the throne and appointed Wang Anshi as the prefect of Jiangning. He was soon appointed as a Hanlin scholar and imperial lecturer. In order to get rid of the political and economic crisis faced by the Song Dynasty and the constant invasion of Liao and Western Xia, in 1068, Emperor Shenzong summoned Wang Anshi to "take the lead in the court". Wang Anshi immediately wrote a letter advocating reform. The following year, he was appointed as the vice chancellor and presided over the reform. In the New Year of the same year, Wang Anshi saw that every family was busy preparing for the Spring Festival. He thought of the new atmosphere at the beginning of the reform and wrote this poem. There is another (Jiawa) New Year's Day poem in the video by Kong Shangren 孔尚任 (1648-1718 AD). I think Dr. Gao's interpretations are excellent. Had a good visit with the eye doctor today. I'm sure I took up to much of his time. He's Chinese American, but the last few generations of his family actually lived in Vietnam. His wife is Chinese. They like Kdramas. They speak English to each other. We talked about language and cultural exchange after I wished him Happy New Year and addressed him by name in Chinese. It was great fun! He showed me his favorite Korean drama. He told me he really liked the romantic drama That winter, the Wind Blows. I hadn't seen it. I know it's very popular. He's much younger than I. The modern romances and soundtracks get millions of views. I like this new historical drama- The Queen Who Crowns. Ironically, this is about Lee Bang-Won, King Li Seong-gae's son. Li was the founder of the Chosun Dynasty. Bon Won as the third King, has a reputation for being a harsh ruler who would stop at nothing to gain and retain the throne. Early on, he is locked in a power struggle with his father and his hot and cold relationship with his jealous queen. Many movies and dramas have been filmed on Bang-won's succession. In this drama, it turns out the queen is the power behind the throne, as the representative of a powerful family at court, and pushes Bang Won to extremes to gain and retain power. Great acting and character development. This is from the OST sound track by So Hyang, That Day:

—

question everything

Submitted by usefewersyllables on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:14pm

According to NBC,

Trump has just backpedaled on his freeze on federal aid spending, and rescinded that order. I wonder whose cries of anguish actually got his attention?

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-administration-resci...

Government by unforeseen consequences. Gotta love it.

—

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Submitted by Bring Back Civics on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 3:21pm

Only to comply with a Federal Court ruling from yesterday

@usefewersyllables https://x.com/gettingtrumpnow/status/1884666768506962237

Submitted by humphrey on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 1:50pm

This should not be a surprise to those who have been paying

attention.

New on MoA:
Halt Of USAID Exposes Malign Foreign Influencehttps://t.co/PHcQU0CUmr pic.twitter.com/6Iukdzvq8N

— Moon of Alabama (@MoonofA) January 29, 2025

Related

Ukraine’s propaganda machine is publicly begging for money after the US cut off all funding to media companies once believed to be “independent”.

The US gave billions to Ukrainian media “NGO’s” despite knowing Zelensky banned every media source that remotely challenged him. pic.twitter.com/WzsKxlaL82

— Duopoly Destroyer (@realnikohouse) January 29, 2025

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 2:40pm

If some of the allowable truths come out

@humphrey
.
the dragnet is working. Notice how certain
NGO's are screaming bloody murder? Lawsuits
are blossoming like spring flowers.

—

question everything

Submitted by humphrey on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 3:08pm

Although the tweet itself is not a lie but it shows how the MSM

attempts to manage the narrative.

Pilot safe after F-35 military jet suffers 'significant damage' in accident at Alaska base https://t.co/2yiqyo4CWH

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 29, 2025

A keen observer might consider the damage as being significant.

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the U.S. Air Force set off a big F35 firework.

(Don't worry, the pilot survived.) pic.twitter.com/7FPIBroEMJ

— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) January 29, 2025

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 3:28pm

Seems the F-35 wunderwaffe is not

@humphrey
.
quite up to the task of flying
off of the drafting board?
Bernie must be crestfallen.

—

question everything

Submitted by on the cusp on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 6:10pm

Good evening, cap'n!

I'm a bit late to the party.
I had considered watching the Dems try to destroy RFK, Jr., but I took in 3 "steal the kids" cases, had no time to see Bernie and Warren make fools of themselves.
It is gonna be a rainy couple of days, but the temp is climbing back up to the high 70s by Monday.
Interesting myhology, good song you posted.
Thanks for the OT, dear friend!

—

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

Submitted by QMS on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 6:14pm

thought of you when I saw this

@on the cusp
.
cowgirls doing tricks

cheers!

—

question everything

Submitted by on the cusp on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 7:10pm

Damn!

@QMS Cowboy girls were great athletes, but the real applause goes to those exquisitely trained hosses!
Only time I was on the side of a horse was after a big buck episode or trying to avoid a tree limb!

—

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