Saturday Open Thread - 3/1/25: Odds and Ends
Well, good morning, good people, if that is even a possibility for you all, friends!
We continue to be on an Executive Order roll, such as Federal agencies shall provide English only materials, but have discretion to use whatever language makes their work more goals achievable.
This reminds me of the attempt to bring Honduran kids into schools, where none ever existed, but none of the kids understood a word the teachers were saying. The Guatemalan guide said at the least, education would help tamp down incest, although infrastructure and jobs would greatly help large families associate with each other, and brothers and sisters, moms and sons would have choice.
We have some Honduran-like communities in the US, amirite?
The red headed Israeli children that didn't make it back to Israel, just bodies, are being used as propaganda by Israel, as Caitlin wrote about in the article posted in joe's ebs last night. Well, I am a red head. My reaction is not what Israel desired. I look at it as that time when their bombs killed me as a child, putting myself in the shoes of Ariel Bibas. I leave it you to figure out my reaction to the Israeli policies, a/k/a genocide and The Hannibal Directive.
Maybe there are other read heads that can be considered outside that ghastly war:
Maybe equally pissed off as the Israelis?
How about a red head who made it all the way to heaven on earth?
This suggest we red headed women are...?
More flattering:
And, there is the Gipsy Kings concert last weekend. Dear One went along with this because they have been my heart since 2000. Heavy traffic going and coming through Houston. Nice hotel. No time to eat a decent meal, settled for fast food burgers, GPS heading us the wrong way, and on and on. Strict rules about women's purses upon entry of the Centre. Colored must be small, so I went clear travel bag which could be large. Mine was maybe 5 in. by 6 in.
Tussled with the cops getting in, suggested they read their restrictions. MY BAG WAS CLEAR. Once inside Smart Financial Center, cops everywhere. Got seated in our excellent seats. Hoping for good videos and a close look and listen in this top tier auditorium. WRONG!!! Lots of folks who thought standing up, dancing in front of their seats, was the cool thing. They were not obnoxious during the opening act, Adelade. She was. Beautiful woman, beautiful and unique voice. She did 5 songs. I think, since they all sounded alike. I stepped out to get a beer at song 4. $15.23 for a beer, like I was a prisoner in some airport. And then, here comes the superstars to the stage, and the 5 youngish (tipsy) women in front of us lit up. Standing, dancing, waving their arms, singing (if you can call it that), talking about their plans for their next gathering, flipping their long curly hair to fluff it up some more. Whatever one of them said, everyone laughed loudly. They blocked our view of the stage. They talked over the music. They were asked by others to hush and sit, but with maybe 15 minutes left of the concert Dear One got into it with them, said they needed to shut up and sit down, and their argument got pretty heated and loud. Well, they whispered and sat until the encore/final song. By golly! Dear One was the winner! I emphasize, it was heated and loud.
He was bad ass.
The final song was the old founder of the band singing a Capella version of "(I Did it) My Way", a true testament of his work overcoming the world-wide prejudice against the Romas. Bless his heart.
I will never return to Smart Financial Centre.
What's going on in your world, what's on your mind, and most importantly, what information and opinions about anything would you like to share with your friends here?
This is an open thread, and no topic is off limits, unless the gummint of our country swoops down on your ass!
Your turn, friends! This is an open thread, so post anything on any topic you think the rest of your friends here might find interesting.
Comments
Good morning, good people!
Don't know about y'all, but I enjoyed the smack down of Z.
I also don't know what y'all are thinking about, reading, talking, fighting about, and I encourage you to bring it to the fore.
Engagement with each other moves us from a hemisphere away to right next door.
Let 'er rip!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
To paraphrase a thing
I read elsewhere: I don’t hate Zelensky. However , I would unplug his life support machine to charge my phone.
I’m all about efficiency, after all…
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Sounds ennergy efficient to me, ufs.
Only 1 leader of a country I dislike and disrespect more than Ze.
I will let you guess.
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
Happy Saturday
.
Thanks for your weekly odds and ends. Always a pleasure.
Just finished-up our taxes for the accountant. Don't know
if the IRS is still functioning? No matter, life goes on.
Poor little Ze. Can't play with the big dogs.
on another note ..
Do they make red headed horses with attitude?
question everything
Good morning, Cap'n!
I think I am two hours away from having my tax prep completed. What a miserable chore. Whatever will remain of the IRS will be the section that goes after the middle class. The Rich and the officially poor do not pay, only the unofficially poor do.
Ze and Trump seemed to have planned that rowdy exchange, and Vance had his moment to make a clear and valid point. Vance was the winner of the brawl.
Diplomacy does not equal bargaining for a real estate deal or negotiating a contract for a movie.
My red headed horse, Skipper, only bucked when he was running at full speed. Since he was a quarter horse with 7/16ths thbd, Secretariat's bloodline, that was a fast buck. He never stopped doing it.
I haven't glanced at any headlines today. I figure they will be the usual propaganda tropes. Propaganda is the most consistent government policy we have.
Smooth sailin', friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning...
It has been beautiful weather this week, and today is no exception. At Trade Day I heard another old friend passed away. Happens more often these days as I age.
Sorry about the concert mishaps. Another sign of the times perhaps?
We had a busy week in the holler. Had a carpenter to help with a project one day, and a tree crew the rest of the week. I've got a pile of logs I hope to get sawn at some point in the future. Gravel coming in Monday, probably three loads. It is nice to make progress. Hope your addition is proceeding well.
Better get started on the chores for 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, happy holler dweller feller!
All the local funerals seem to be my friends from high school. They are thinning out. Getting old does have its' sadness.
Our weather has swung from several days of freezing temps to highs in the 80s today. Throw in a lot of rain, that's east Texas right now. I have to check the forecast each night to plan my wardrobe for the following day.
For that reason, the 5 huge burn piles on the acreage can't catch a perfect, dry, no wind day to be lit.
The addition will be completed by Tuesday. Dear One will paint the interior and lay the indoor/outdoor carpet. Weather and illness caused a delay. The house painters will work this weekend. We have several projects for them afterwards.
Well, I just didn't imagine a Latino band in a heavily populated Latino area would bring out the fiesta attitude in that fancy, high end concert venue, but it did. I was tempted to get up and walk out. It was a miserable experience, a total waste of time and money. I felt horrible that I put Dear One through that.
Well, we don't seem to be getting closer to WWIII, so that's a very good thing, dear friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning otc, thanks for the OT. Gradually warming all
week to the point that I finally weeded the garlic yesterday afternoon. Temps dropping today, rain predicted tonight and tomorrow, etc. Farmers' market this morning, a usual and leftovers tonight (manicotti stuffed with sausage, ricotta and spinach), and then my wife takes over cooking for a week except that it is time to make bread and its my turn for that. So, life goes on.
Sorry about the concert, but that is very much how people behave these days. The populace of the US has become increasingly inconsiderate of others for several decades now, I blame it on Reagan and the cumulative cultural impact of generation Reagan with a side of MAGA, all me, me, me.
Der Drumpf has betraywd liberal democracy, they keep saying, but neither Ukiestan nor the EU is a democracy, not even a so-called representative one, not that the US is either. That and hoourly updates on pope whatsisname, it's tiresome, I tell ya. Also seeming increase in propaganda about how evil China is mistreating pore ol' Taiwan. Ah well, can't fix it sobest to not stress unduly over it.
I've notices that there are no general purpose shoe stores any more amid a veritable explosion os specialty shoe stores that carry innumerable variations of sneakers, uggs and crocs. Is this nationwide, or just here?
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 --
Good morning, el!
Nice to know you were weeding while I was sleeping in! I had a very intense work week. That's what I get for representing a public official that a cabal is trying to get thrown out of office.
It was a small claims case to determine ownership of a dog, but the real intent was to implicate him in some scheme to use county funds to pay vet costs for a family member's dog shelter. All opposing witnesses attempted to say the private shelter was crooked. None of them had testimony of dog ownership. The Justice of the Peace is allowed to ask questions. All of them were about official records and expenditures. He was in on it. All witnesses on both sides testified my client had possession and control of the dog for more than 2 years. And we lost the case. Apparently possession, sheltering, providing all care and vet care for a dog for 2 1/2 years is just being a good neighbor, not dog ownership.
i have been a close friend of the JP since I was 15 years old. I am 72. I will never speak to him again. I am stunned and heart broken. I always believed him to be honest. I will not befriend a crook.
Make bread, break break, my friend! Glad the torch gets passed this week for the cooking chore!
As for the societal norms dissolving, I am unsure of its' inception, but can say the cultural differences reveal a stark difference in what is considered proper manners and public behavior. I see it in my office, in drs.' offices, in department stores, but was not expecting it in such a formal venue. Not fun to see 5 women auditioning for jobs as fucking pole dancers.
I will get over it. One day.
Have a wonderful weekend and I like hearing you are outside working, sounding like you have recovered from your health issues.
FWIW, the Pope sat up and drank coffee this morning. That has a real impact on my life. s/
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
3.1 Independence day in South Korea
South Koreans marked the founding the republic of Korea from March 1, 1919, when a declaration of independence was read against the Japanese imperial rule, in Topgal Park in Seoul. There were numerous demonstrations against Japanese imperial rule throughout Korea that were violently suppressed. The Korean Provisional government marked its beginning from this date.
March First Movement
Things haven't changed that much. Today any South Korean who isn't Japan friendly is labeled a communist sympathizer by the NGO network and their proxies and dupes in South Korea.
Along these lines I saw this from TK at the Blue Roof:
"Sky Daily" promoted the fake news story on the 99 Chinese spies which I have described earlier. The Blue Roof points out that Sky Daily has doubled down on the false reporting that the US seized Chinese spies on December 3, 2024, in this fabricated story of election tampering by the Chinese. What I learned from TK's report is that the Sinjeonchi religious cult is the sponsor of this publication. (Sincheonji = New Heaven and Earth). The leader of the cult Lee Man-hui claims to be the reincarnation of Christ on earth. The report concerning Chinese spies tampering with general elections is central to the mythology of Yoon's defense, the martial law effort, and the ongoing insurrection in South Korea.
A key coincidence is that Sinjeonchi and Lee man-hui were also pivotal in the spread of covid 19 in South Korea.
The Blue Roof also had a detailed breakdown of the Annie Chan link to a constellation of NGOs in South Korea supporting Yoon's coup attempt and this current defense, aka "Stop the Steal." TK also observed another link to the former Chun Doo-hwan dictatorship.
TBR Weekly Update: Week 3, February 2025
Earlier today (there is a fourteen hour time difference from Seoul to EST) tens of thousands of Jeon's followers and tens of thousands of candlelight demonstrators rallied in the streets of Seoul. Thousands of police mobilized to keep the pro and anti-impeachment demonstrators from directly confronting another. I estimate the cost of mobilizing 60,OOO demonstrators on the far right at about 6 million dollars US. Guess who is paying for it? I noticed in the video of the riot by street thugs at Ewha University the other day, the far right provocateurs were trying to induce the anti Yoon demonstrators to accept cash while several of them were hoping to get it on video. Needless to say, no one took the money. The fact that the far right demonstrators have been filmed taking cash at demos is something they know is hurting them. The whole operation reminds me of the Hong Kong demos. Not exactly a grass roots effort.
The candlelight anti-Yoon demonstrators mark modern Korea's birthday from March 1, 1919, not from US proxy Syngman Rhee's elevation to power in 1948 by the US military government. Modern Korean history didn't begin in August 1945 with the "liberation," nor did it begin on June 20, 1950, with the outbreak of the Korean War.
Thanks for the Odds & Ends OTC!
(edit- spelling and date, 1919)
語必忠信 行必正直
Good afternoon, friend!
I always wanted to tour SK. Not at present, however. Th!ose demonstrations resemble all the other bought and paid for demonstrations everywhere. Very few are non-orchestrated and spontaneous.
Well, just what SK needs: an NGO spearheaded by a real estate mogul. That should work out splendidly, amirite?
Thanks for the update on all things SK.
Have a wonderful weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
This has been an issue around here
...with some family members and friends whether it's a good time to visit. These are pics of the anti Yoon demo running east of Gwanghwamun, in Insa-dong, part of it, running along Sajik-ro to Yulgak-ro.
I don't know about "hundreds of thousands" but there may be if one counts both the pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon demos together. Traffic is obstructed and I think several of the metro stations were probably blocked. I saw dozens of police buses being used to keep the two sides apart. Demos have taken place near the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, etc.
語必忠信 行必正直
Interesting
Didn’t Trump pull Blinken’s security clearance? If he didn’t then if he hears about this he should and pull the others.
It doesn’t keep them from meddling, but it does interfere with their making money.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
That does
strike me as “speaking out of turn”- but given what Saint Bernie and the other dems are doing, they they would appear to believe that they did not lose the election.
I would think that a few calls from the Secretary of State’s office might be in order- followed up with in-person visits as needed. Knuckles need to be rapped with a steel ruler, and quite smartly.
Like it or not, US diplomacy (such as it is) needs to present a single unified face to the world- and that face cannot be that of the sore losers. Not a fan.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Video
If you couldn’t get a good video of the Gipsy Kings, you should’ve at least got one of the tipsy women/Dear One argument. That would‘be been entertaining and maybe educational as well.
Anya
I may attempt to
post a video of their best table dancing to Bomboleo. With raised arms, pretending to be gypsies, guaranteeing we could not see the stage.
It is always great to hear from you, chica! Long time, no hear!
I hope all is well with you and that you have a fun weekend planned!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Well that’s gotta be awkward at parties
.
Galloway says that the new German chancellor’s father was an officer in Hitler’s office.
And the new chancellor seems to think it’d be best if Germany was the head of nato. What could possibly go wrong?
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
what could possibly be right
.
is to get the US out of NATO
let the euros have their own
damn army as they see fit to use it
question everything
YES.
I can't imagine NATO fighting for us if we were invaded, so why should we care?
Yes, our military bases in Europe are all ready for war against Russia, but realistically, Russia isn't planning to attack anybody, and wouldn't have attacked Ukraine if they hadn't been provoked.
Hell, even the NYT concedes the provocation. Finally!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
That’d be sweet
Maybe if the poodles keep pushing Trump then America will remove itself.
Posting Galloway since he says that the B-52 bombers are in Qatar and might be getting ready to hit Iran. He says it could happen at any moment.
The IAEA is reporting that Iran has upped the amount of uranium…. He suggests that Iran go ahead and build the BOMB. Iran can do it in 3 days. Stay tuned….
He also says don’t listen to what Trump says, but what he does. Then talks about the Gaza-Trump tower hotel on the bones of Palestinians.
BTW. It was Merz grandfather not father.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
Germany is swinging harder right
than we are. Dad's can be quite an influence on their kids.
If we get out of NATO,(I can dream, can't I?)I won't give a shit who heads it. The EU is taking center stage on military posturing nowadays.
I will check out Galloway for his take on Germany's politics.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Sinea is not the plural of sinus
lol…good one.
He’s also talking about Egypt’s army is close to the Gaza border.
If the poodles take over NATO it would be an outfit in name only because they have no troops.
Also keep your eye on the Black Sea because NATO is trying to mess with Russia there. Russia definitely should take Odessa and put a stop this nonsense
The EU gave even more money to Russia for gas than they ever have. Lol again.
This was a great episode.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
What is Iran's missile defense
system capabilities? Can they blow those B 52s out of the air? Does anyone know?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Probably
They fly very slowly and it’s why other jets fly with them and protect them, but I doubt anyone in our military has ever faced what Iran has. Many of the AD were given by Russia, but Iran has their own.
MAGAs will be ticked to the nines if Trump does help Israel fight Iran. Remember he’s supposed to be a man of peace… blehh.
Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.
It remains to be seen
Whether the Iranian air defense assets, SAMs in particular will survive preemptive standoff attacks by F-35s or similar aircraft is questionable. These air defense suppression missions would need to precede a B-52 attack because B-52s would definitely be vulnerable to even less than state of the art surface to air missiles. If Russian S-400s are in Iran, that presents a definite threat to B-52s and tanker support aircraft, and maybe even other support aircraft if they venture too close. Because the F-35s may do well according to prior claims after an attack on Iranian S-300s, any such attack by B-52s or the prestrike SAM suppression missions, would probably draw ballistic missile counterstrikes from Iran. I wouldn't expect a delay in the Iranian response as in some past situations. In other words the best countertactic is to destroy the tactical F-35 and support aircraft launch points on the ground or surface wherever they come from. I'm not recommending any course of action or response by either side, this is just the kind of risks/responses/outcomes I might anticipate.
I'm not sanguine about Iran's prospects in such a conflict but I think their strategic depth is underrated. In other words their ability to simply absorb an attack and the associated losses. Their potential to disrupt pro-Israel or pro-US assets in the Persian Gulf is significant. Iran's ballistic missile forces are not likely to be very vulnerable, witness the Houthi experience. On the other hand, throw weight on ballistic missile attacks with conventional payloads don't impress me in strategic terms. The countervailing factor in Iran's favor is Israel's lack of strategic depth. Just guesswork on my part. The risk of some dirty nuclear incident or actual nuclear attack is the unacceptable risk here.
Here's a National Interest article perhaps underestimating the Iranian options by evaluating them in a narrow context:
Russia Is Giving Iran S-400 Missile Batteries. Should Israel Be Worried?
edits for clarity
語必忠信 行必正直
Thanks for the input, friend.
I do not believe Russia or even China would leave Iran vulnerable.
Several videos I have watched, and articles I have read this evening say Iran would do well to have a nuke on hand in 3 to 5 days, just to have around, just in case.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Ze and trump discussed with much humor
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981