Saturday Open Thread - 6/21/25: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
I want to share a link I spent 3 or 4 hours yesterday absorbing. It is about war. It is about the demise of the US Empire. It is about Trump's mental and physical decline, a Biden cover-up 2.0.
I read the info posted by b, not the comment thread, will get around to it today. https://www.moonofalabama.org/
The link b said was good is this one: Why Iran? The Context & The Consequences
My opinion of the best of the lot of videos in the Boyd article is this one:
It wasn't always this way.
I have mentioned a lone doe that shuns or is shunned by the Fab Four herd. Well, we suspected she had a baby in the bushes, and sure enough, she brought it out into the open for us to see. She is sorta reconnecting with the Fab Four, so success all the way around. We had at least an hour of baby romp viewing.
I don't know, friends, what we can expect from one day to the next. Let's just hang in there together, share info and opinions on this opinion thread, and keep rolling along. It is open to whatever you wish to share with us.
Your turn, friends!
Comments
Oow wow, the summer solstice already
.
Unable to focus on war related topics.
Would rather use whatever brain space left
on home projects. Trying to keep-up.
Thanks for the OT.
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning, Cap'n!
The wars are frightening and heart-wrenching. I had taken 2 days off, thought it might be an opportunity to do something fun, but home projects stopped that idea in its' tracks.
I am concerned about US boots on the ground and what might happen to the US dollar. I hope I have the skills and will power to endure a Great Depression. I hope we all do.
Have a great weekend, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Summer Solstice
It rained here last night. Not a lot, but we are 8 inches of rain behind normal so far this year, so 1/4 inch of rain is good! And it's a good northwest solstice, it's cloudy!
I too am trying to do home projects. Hope yours are successful!
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
goodness
.
didn't hurt myself too bad today
accomplished less but it is OK.
happy solstice
hope yours was productive
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning...
Another day without WWIII nuclear disaster...at least so far.
We're looking at a hot week coming up...well it is summer in Alabama. We've been getting regular rain, which has been nice. Hopefully the spigot won't be turned off.
Glad you're enjoying your deer. Thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
We have had a lot of rain this year. No complaints from me! The extreme heat hasn't arrived here, but it will. Outdoor projects have to be done in between the drenches.
I am watching some doe behaviors towards their off spring, such as eating side by side, sharing a mouthful of grass, pausing to put their heads together in cheek to cheek mode.
Never boring, friend!
Hope everything is peachy in The Holler, dear friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Ironic we live thousands of miles apart, different latitudes
and are watching the first explorations of fawns with their mothers this week.
Already impacted by two man made fires with evacuation warnings this season. Both caused major power outages for the two power companies in the local area, fortunately only experienced one of the outages. My layered emergency backup plan of batteries at the initial level worked pretty well. I had plenty of time to take care of all little and unexpected stuff that needs to be done in an emergency, then could start working on issues requiring electricity at a steady pace.
Two thirds of the winter hay is already in the barn. This morning cool enough to start a fire to warm up the house and skip the heat pump. Fresh picked strawberries and cream for breakfast inside crepes make with eggs collected yesterday. (1 egg, 1 tablespoon sifted flour plus 1 tablespoon water grilled in butter on the flat iron = 1 large crepe or two small crepes). Sipping coffee made from the beans roasted yesterday evening. Need to get back on the mower and finish the last 3 acres of dried annual grass. Fourth of July is not too far away, have a little more protective landscaping work to complete. The cattle and deer are doing an adequate job on the irrigated acres.
Listened to this yesterday and it had the clearest explanation of the concept on only needing 3% of a population to change a governing body. The other person I have heard explaining the concept is Mark Levin whom I have a hard time listening to even in small doses. The complete 2 plus hours is a discussion on how to save Taiwan for "we and us", definitely no concern for a quality life ( or even life) for anyone on the island. Interesting insights on techniques to take over a geographic area being implemented around the world by various groups.
(2 hr 16 min starts at 1:08:58)
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Good afternoon, soe!
Your breakfast sounds wonderful! As does your power outage energy system. I still resist getting a generator because of the slim chance my office electricity would not be out for long. With grids, it's all about location. 1 block from the courthouse, 2 blocks from the jail and Sheriff's office, 3 blocks from the county emergency housing center. My theory will be tested if hurricane season is as bad as predicted.
How many cuts do you get on your hay field? On a bad year, I got 2, and on a rainy year, 4.
I am pretty sure the herd of 4 consists of 2 moms, 2 of their offspring. When grazing, the slightly smaller does stay close to a larger one. They were the crazy kids that raced in circles and figure 8s last summer.
Get mowing, friend! Dear One will be doing the same here, and I will be giving him my moral support, of course!
Have a great weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Approach to energy back-up
Every situation is a little different so this is not universally the best, but it is working for me. In a past life installed a Generac natural gas generator with an autostart for an office building. Worked smooth, tested itself automatically once a week, during outages it provided enough electricity for all needs and was still working flawlessly when the building was sold.
My needs now are highly variable, sometimes across multiple buildings, occasionally need to support medical equipment and slight possibility the person starting a system would not have the strength or dexterity to start a generator. One system to cover all the needs is possible, but way beyond my budget.
Decided to borrow the concept of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) commonly used for computer equipment as a starting point for providing power for critical needs on the porperty. Found a company called EcoFlow which had portable options and now whole house solutions of batteries which can be recharged with solar panel, regular electric current from a home electrical outlet or a generator. Very confusing site, easy to buy the wrong product.
Started with a Delta 2 Max, extra battery and the companies portable solar panels. Should be able to recharge 3000 times before a significant reduction in capacity. It is light enough I can move it to where I need electricity or toss it into a car if need to evacuate.
For main back-up for the house now use EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Whole-Home Backup. It can be used with extension cords or a household generator plug. Scalable have added extra batteries as budget allows. Again not built into the house so If I move it goes with me. Lookout mentioned a different company and battery a few months ago which now has similar products.
In answer to your question 3 cuttings on irrigated land.
Now I am going to go look how much of the world is left standing.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Far East issues
I understand Japan's car exports are taking a hit along with car company profits margins under Trump's tariffs.
Actually, I suspect it's the other way around. Right wing youtubers in Korea get their talking points, tactics, and sloganeering from CPAC, US NGO's, "think tanks," etc. "Stop the steal!" "Chinese interfering in S.Korean elections," and "Democratic party in Korea infiltrated by communists."
Here's another example below, disappointing that Rashid buys into this.
The real problem is that Kim Min-seok, the prime minister nominee of South Korea is smart as a whip, and a brilliant politician like Lee Jae-myung. God forbid, South Korea now has a former human rights lawyer as president, and a former student activist opposing dictatorship, nominated for prime minister. South Korea has a lot of problems, some of which need to be addressed immediately, namely rooting out and prosecuting the traitors who attempted to overthrow South Korea's constitution and sovereignty by military coup, and risked starting a war to do so. Second, restoring the checks and balances in the government by checking the power of the public prosecutors officers which had been functioning as a political enforcer for the "corrupt special interests." Third, trying to recover economically in the face of US attacks on South Korea's trading interests and political priorities.
In light of all these, finding homophobic tropes by Kim to delegitimize the nominee for prime minister, takes place in a political cultural context that most westerners can't possibly understand. The disastrous birth rate decline in South Korea is a primary economic, social, and national security issue. Overcoming South Korean rigid social conservatism by imposing western cultural norms is simply an attempt to change the subject from blunt US interference in South Korean domestic economic and social policies, international trade, and defense priorities. Prioritizing sexual equality and equity issues upfront in South Korean politics is the fast track to political oblivion in South Korea. Such issues need to be addressed subtly and with finesse. Brandishing the US LGTBQ cudgel is for political dumbasses in South Korea. That this issue is a foreign press priority is a tell. Who would better lead on issues of fairness and equality? The fringe Justice Party which is the primary promoter of the LGTBQ legislation? The conservatives? The far right Christian conservatives?
The fact that the current administration had overwhelming support from young women on the streets and at the polls, reveals that the current administration's prime minister nominee isn't the neanderthal that Rashid and the "foreign journalists" try to portray. Is there anyone who thought the prime minister would be someone else? This was obviously the likely outcome before the election took place June 3. I fear no effort will be spared to derail his nomination by the west.
The effort is really to deprive the new President of his best and most able choice for prime minister. A similar effort was made during the democratic administration of President No Moo-hyun, Lee's mentor in the past. By isolating the president this way, the opposition and their foreign sponsors seek to disable the administration and its agenda.
Thanks for the O&E OntheCusp. I was trying to add a more relevant link to your theme there, but ended up almost entirely losing my comments here. Maybe I'll try again later.
語必忠信 行必正直
Good morning, soryang!
Any geopolitics is relevant to war, isn't it?
I am sorry the idiotic tariff war is hurting Japan. Japan is not alone in being angry about being told to increase defense spending.
Maybe the US will pull out of NATO? One can dream...
I find it odd that LGTBQ was vaulted to the lead in politics globally, all at once, as though it is some plan to continue division in populations. A distraction if there ever was one. It doesn't have the feel of a natural, universal cultural progression to my mind.
As we plan on various home improvement projects, we are finding it harder to find contractors. You are quite familiar with that dilemma, aren't you?
Enjoy your weekend, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yes, I'm still trying to recover
...from the home rebuilding effort. I'm hoping it's behind me, once and for all. I'm thankful, Ms. So and I appear to have gotten through this, unlike some of our neighbors who also suffered a great deal. Health is everything! No Hurricanes, Please! My late brother introduced me to a great trotter once, it was called No Rain, Please! (if I remember correctly).
語必忠信 行必正直
It is tough to find
fence clearers. The guys I hired for years are now old, slow, unable to work in intense heat.
Young guys who are able are typically unemployed for good reason. They suck. Both I and the mayor hired a tree removal company to do some work. Yes, they did a good job, but both he and I wound up with cartel markers on our property. He had to call in the police. After that experience, I am hesitant to hire a Hispanic owned landscaping company. Cartels are very close to my hometown.
We want to focus on weeds and small brush removal, not our personal safety.
I am happy you got the repairs done, friend.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
imposing western cultural norms
the excuse regimes use to avoid scrutiny by citizenry
uncle sam made me do it
Zionism is a social disease
Especially since the "norms" keep shifting
Notice the rising hysteria in the West (especially US/UK) over trans issues and "men in women's sports". (Also notice that it's in direct parallel with non-Western women athletes, especially women of color, becoming good enough to defeat Western ones.)
So what "norm" are They pushing today, tomorrow, the day after?
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
normies do seem to have shifty moods
.
wish I could care which way the rivers run
on any given day but it seems to take up all
my time to adapt to yesterday, let alone today
Zionism is a social disease
Another interesting video
about Iran's attacks on Israel:
https://x.com/HussainShafiei/status/1936220199687950648
Thanks, Linda!
So much for the mighty Iron Dome, eh?
Did Israel think it was gonna be another Gaza conflict?
I am sort of monitoring the Moon of Alabama comment thread. Seems Iran sends a drone/missile attack, waits a couple of hours, does it again.
I wonder if Huckabee's love for Zionism will hold when Bibi won't let US citizens to get out of Israel. Well, keep us informed, Linda. We appreciate it, chica.
Enjoy your weekend!
edit: I completed a sentence about Huckabee. It had disappeared.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Over on Reddit,
People have started calling it the “Iron Colander”. That makes me smile, and I think that the Flying Spaghetti Monster would approve.
On edit: Damn you, autocorrect! I’m really not having a stroke again…
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
I approve, too!
The Dome was our highest tech, which shows the US Dod ain't all that bad assed.
Great to see ya around, ufs.
Enjoy your weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Haifa Mayor
brief interview, but significant:
https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/20608
How radical
to desire peace and stability!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
UN votes
to order Israel to give up nuclear weapons:
https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/10/31/un-vote-israel-nuclear-weapons/
The 5 no votes
were not surprising. Well, except for Canada.
Israel will never give them up. After all, they were difficult to steal.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Iran's justification
supported in this artwork, reposted again because I think it's important:
https://x.com/Ahmed_hassan_za/status/1936078700858294501
Iran is justified in their actions.
I can't say the same for Israel.
I admire Iran for their support of the sick and starving Palestinians in Gaza.
This is the lowest point in US history. That's saying a lot.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Lowest point in US history...
I'm coming to the same conclusion. My Mom just called me, terrified because she thinks we are going to die in a nuclear war. And... I dunno. Wasn't a lot I could do to comfort her
So, go out, watch the 4 deer and the babies, have a good time outside, do some gardening, whatever we can do. Me, I'm gonna watch our local family of Ravens, there are 4 now, and boy, they do like our compost heap!
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
Hey, Sima!
We will see if this war will be some limited shit, or global. I would have a hard time convincing family, friends, or anybody that it is all gonna be ok.
I had planned on grocery shopping tomorrow. It won't just be for the upcoming week, but for far longer in the future. Our $ is soon to be pretty much worthless.
Figure out how to enjoy your weekend, each and every moment of it, chica. There is no point in panic, we all just need to keep level heads, figure out how to cope.
Hug your dog.
It is so nice to "see" you, chica!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
He has been quite accurate so far.
Good afternoon, humphrey!
I am monitoring Aljazeera and MoA closely this afternoon and evening. I pretty much ignore MSM.
As always, we all appreciate your X drops.
(I could have called them X droppings, but that might be taken the wrong way...lol!)
I will distract myself from the news by grilling burgers this evening. It is the little things...
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
"It ain't over 'til its over" as Yogi Berra once said.
Hoo, boy!
Let's see what the latest round of missiles do. We can't lend support to a military that ain't there, can we?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
The peace President. HAH!
Just saying.
It isn't typical Trump
to avoid reporters. Could the old bastard actually be thinking things through?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
That last cartoon was great!
I had to laugh. It felt good! Thank you
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
Lets just hope that this is the case.
Just the beginning of the article.
I tried to post this link earlier
...without success. Probably my error. It's about the experience of one family in the Middle East and sheds light on the experience of thousands. I find the story appealing, it is a unique complex story told in a credible way. I gained some insight from it and plan to listen to it again sometime. It's an older Chris Hedges Report It's about an hour long. I think one gets the gist of the book in about 20 or 30 minutes, but the story is one I never heard before and was compelling so I listened to the whole thing.
語必忠信 行必正直
Thanks!
I am gonna watch it now.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Here it is.
US planes just bombed
Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites in Iran.
This is according to Aljazeera.
We are in for a ride, folks.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I'm moved by Chris Norlund's commentary on this
Until a few weeks ago, I thought Chris was Korean-American. Then I saw some video he did, autobiographical in nature, where he revealed he was born in Vietnam, just before the final stages of the war there. Members of his family were killed he was told, and somehow he came to be on a flight out of Vietnam at the very end of the war.
https://www.chrisnorlund.com/
As fate would have it, Chris does not speak Vietnamese. I think he may have learned some when he went back there to meet surviving members of his family.
edited X times for spelling, typos.
語必忠信 行必正直
The war
Is officially on.
Hold your loved ones very, very close in the coming days. Shit gets real now.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Good advice, ufs...
WWIII or limited to the ME? No matter, I expect something to happen here.
The usual playbook is some terrorist crap here that propels us into conflict. Well, we are in the conflict already. Any terrorist act at this juncture is an act of justified retaliation.
Trump, on behalf of Israel, is endangering all Americans.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Spot
On.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
And, so here we all are...
Shut in, shut down, avoid strangers who might be a sleeper cell member, or just go on with ordinary life, see what city gets blown up, then stay shut in your homes via martial law?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Trump giving Iran 2 weeks was a big fat LIE!
ResistanceTrench mirror
Trump: I will be giving an Address to the Nation at 10:00 P.M., at the White House, regarding our very successful military operation in Iran. This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR.
Fucking liar!
Iran can hit so many of our military bases over in the ME. When do Russia, Iran, China, and Pakistan...Turkey?...say they will join in with Iran?
Americans do not support this!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Tough way to get a Noble Peace Prize?
Hmm! A blast from the past.
Lies just keep on coming from Trump's mouth.
I couldn't be bothered to watch Trump's speech but I did
come across a recap.
A US president not saying
"God bless America?" Bless Israel????
I am not gonna say what is going through my mind. I will let you folks figure it out.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It ends with
“And the horse you rode in on!”, I suspect.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
The Global South is watching events closely. There will
be repercussions.
The rest of the tweet:
When Trump declares himself king,
it will be a 3rd world realm, where Mar-a-Lago has raw sewage on the golf course.
He will lose his tan due to lack of lamps and tanning beds.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It seems that Iran is not ready to blink!
Never give up,
Iran.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981