Happy 6th Anniversary c99

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:02pm

Six years ago today c99 went on line. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us. Thanks to all who contribute content. Thanks to all who contribute monetarily to keep this ship afloat. Thank you c99ers. You all are the best!

We've been floating the idea of virtual Zoom meetups hosted by joe shikspack and myself. Anyone interested? If we can't meet up in meat space we sure can do it in ether space. It might be fun. Give us some input.

Prost!

Tags:

Comments

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:07pm

It's been a year of transition for me...

I moved to Texas several months ago so if you've corresponded with myself by USPS mail you'll need my new address. Send me a PM.

A tip of the glass to you all!

Submitted by QMS on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:21pm

Yeah! This calls for a celebration

Many good voices have found a home here.
Making it rich with staying power.
Thanks for all you've done.
I like the idea of virtual gatherings.
Puts another perspective online.

Salud!

—

question everything

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:00pm

A sip...

@QMS
of my drink in your honor, my friend.

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:29pm

Happy Birthday, c99p!

I've only been here four of those years, but they've been a great four years. This is the only blog that I don't just read - I actually participate.

Virtual meetings are already happening, as you know, so the more the merrier. I've enjoyed getting to know some of our community. I, too, have been in transition and now that I'm somewhat settled, I look forward to engaging more with this community.

Happy to support the cause, Johnny! Happy Birthday - and give that gal of yours a big hug!

—

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:58pm

Thanks RA...

@Raggedy Ann
Yes, private virtual meetings have taken place, we are proposing c99 sanctioned meetups open to the total membership. If we get enough participants perhaps we'll break it down regionally.

I tip a glass in your direction and hugs given.

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:28pm

Sounds fantastic!

@JtC
I look forward to further building our community!

—

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 12:22am

Regionally break-up?

@JtC
To which region would you put me? I don't know myself anymore to which region I would belong to. I have been in some meet-ups in meat space during TOP years and after til I had left the US. I remember them. It was confusing to me, as some talked intensely to me, but til today I don't know the online nick name of those. Others of whom I understood who they were online, barely post here any longer and as I don't read the TOP site anymore, I don't know what they say or write. May be they are gone for good. In my opinion nothing can replace a physical meet-up, as unfortunate that may be.

So far, the last four years (and for sure the years before that, when I commented on TOP) made me scared to communicate online revealing my face or voice. Some people have seen me and I can assure you, my face is boring and my voice has a heavy German accent. At least is you want to mock me, in real space you would have to be polite or I would start to mock some American accents in a friendly joking manner as a response.

As janis b said, I believe that we make up in our mind an image of the person we only know through comments here on C99p. To be confronted with the real person is something I would like only to do in meat space, as the online space can never match the meat space. Though the zoom capabilities make the best out of the situation. But there is a difference, in a zoom environment you talk with and for the cameras. That is always different from a meat-space conversation of which you can assume or be sure about that no cameras are around.

Most people behave completely different in a public online space being aware of the camera than in meat space where at least you would know who is trying to make a video of you.

There is also another aspect to this. If you meet people in physical meet-ups, usually they are pretty polite. If they dislike or hate you or think you are a dummy little know-nothing type of a person, they keep it to themselves. That is not the case in online conversations. So, how would you react, if you had been target of online dislikes by commentators, if those were now known to you online as persons, who reveal their identity via image and voice?

Basically this would lead to 'closed door online meet-ups'. Somewhat sad.

Thanks for keeping this community platform open. It is the only one I read. Even if I don't understand many commentator's comments, I felt it worthwhile to read them.

Happy Birthday, may C99p have another interesting, open year with friendliness and honesty.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 12:36am

What region, mimi?

@mimi

I'm not sure ... somewhere far out ... I'll meet you there ; ).

xox

#3.1 To which region would you put me? I don't know myself anymore to which region I would belong to. I have been in some meet-ups in meat space during TOP years and after til I had left the US. I remember them. It was confusing to me, as some talked intensely to me, but til today I don't know the online nick name of those. Others of whom I understood who they were online, barely post here any longer and as I don't read the TOP site anymore, I don't know what they say or write. May be they are gone for good. In my opinion nothing can replace a physical meet-up, as unfortunate that may be. So far, the last four years (and for sure the years before that, when I commented on TOP) made me scared to communicate online revealing my face or voice. Some people have seen me and I can assure you, my face is boring and my voice has a heavy German accent. At least is you want to mock me, in real space you would have to be polite or I would start to mock some American accents in a friendly joking manner as a response. As janis b said, I believe that we make up in our mind an image of the person we only know through comments here on C99p. To be confronted with the real person is something I would like only to do in meat space, as the online space can never match the meat space. Though the zoom capabilities make the best out of the situation. But there is a difference, in a zoom environment you talk with and for the cameras. That is always different from a meat-space conversation of which you can assume or be sure about that no cameras are around. Most people behave completely different in a public online space being aware of the camera than in meat space where at least you would know who is trying to make a video of you. There is also another aspect to this. If you meet people in physical meet-ups, usually they are pretty polite. If they dislike or hate you or think you are a dummy little know-nothing type of a person, they keep it to themselves. That is not the case in online conversations. So, how would you react, if you had been target of online dislikes by commentators, if those were now known to you online as persons, who reveal their identity via image and voice? Basically this would lead to 'closed door online meet-ups'. Somewhat sad. Thanks for keeping this community platform open. It is the only one I read. Even if I don't understand many commentator's comments, I felt it worthwhile to read them. Happy Birthday, may C99p have another interesting, open year with friendliness and honesty.

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:07am

I barely leave my bedroom anymore ... I am in there

@janis b
and seldom out there.

Unless you ship my bed on a virtual magic carpet to never-ever land ...

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:18am

I'll try mimi

@mimi

I hope it takes you here. I'd love to have you at my table for good food and conversation.

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:23am

we could amuse ourselves with him ...

@janis b [video:https://youtu.be/mt9QtHHx-9M]
I miss an early morning open thread for us outsider time zones. Have a good day, dear lady.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by janis b on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:37am

That was hilarious

@mimi

and 'bragadocious'. Everyone should watch this for great laughs. Thanks mimi.

Submitted by aliasalias on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:53pm

Personally I can't stand the sight of either of them

@janis b Not just tRUMP. First of all I mean no offense to anyone that follows Trevor Noah or just like his shows sometimes, or all the time. This is just my opinion alone.

When Trevor Noah started on that show I didn't even find it interesting, but that didn't matter as I could say that about anything on TV,so I just forgot about him, until the day Julian Assange was dragged out of the Ecuadoran embassy.

It was on YouTube where I came across his report on the event, and if he ever apologized or explained his comments I don't know because I couldn't stand to watch his face another moment.
But I doubt it happened, because he was certainly getting a lot of entertainment out of the video of Julian being carried out like a piece of furniture (his description), having fun with with Assange's beard, repeated a concern for Julian's cat and wondering what had happened to it like it was something suspicious.
As I best remember it he repeated everything mainstream media had been saying,that Assange was not a good tenant, wasn't a clean living person, joking about Assange riding his skateboard there disturbing others.
I'm don't remember if his rambling included the 'smearing feces on walls story' (which showed up in the comment section by others), he spread other lies the media had been priming people with weeks before the eviction,and all with that goofy grin which I sincerely wanted to punch.

Fortunately I wasn't the only one in the comment section showing outrage at this very unfunny event, in fact tragic, still is, and even tho I didn't think it was going to make a difference with Trevor Noah I thought others reading thru the comments should hear what they wouldn't be hearing from him.
I began with all the trivial things he was using for laughs, like a beard , which even if it were down to his feet it would be insignificant to what was happening, but if anyone wanted to know, the new people at the embassy had long before that day stopped allowing him shaving supplies. Petty meanness.

The cat had been given to a good home because as much as Julian loved the company of that cat, he thought more about his cat being put to death if Assange got removed from the embassy.
With the attitude of the new staff that seemed so dedicated to making his life more miserable, Assange must've started feeling his time there was coming to an end soon.
I went on about the media lies everyone had been fed, and about those people like Trevor Noah who repeated them on a show that was supposed to be funny.

Truth be told I never made it to the end of that video, I'd heard all I could stand to hear and more than I wanted to see as he chuckled along. Getting a lot of laughs in the comment section as well, with others throwing in other totally unverifiable stories about Assange, all negative.

Maybe on a later time, or day, he didn't treat it like a good story to get laughs from, but I wouldn't know because since then I've refused to watch anything in which Trevor Noah was involved.

Fwiw , yes I know about his backstory and that only makes this all worse, and again I do not mean this as a judgement of anyone other than Trevor Noah. In fact my own daughter told me she loves him, and I truly love her, but after that day she no longer posted any of his videos on my Facebook page.
To the best of my knowledge she backed off watching him on a regular basis, maybe for a different reason, I don't know, but she is a grown woman it's her decision.

Not all so-called comics are on the right side of everything, but there is a red line not to cross somewhere with them all, maybe a racist joke, or a misogynistic one, or some other place they shouldn't have gone. Trevor Noah danced with a grin right across my 'red line'.

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 3:39pm

I don't follow Trevor Noah,

@aliasalias
I stumble over the headline of his videos on youtube at times and they trigger me sometimes to watch. I don't know his backstory, so if you want to share it, do so. Apparently something 'happened' to his sister in South Africa.

I do though know something of Africans (dictators and poor people) and in the meantime I learned something about Trump. And as you say, I happen not to like them too much. Noah didn't hide where he came from. You did not say, where you are coming from, if you are black, African, Afro-American or white.

I like it when people get over very sad and upsetting realities by laughing over them and make jokes about them.

It would be a fairer, if you would have posted the video you described, Noah getting over the line with Juliua Assange. I could get a better understanding, if I saw it. (PS Meanwhile I saw them and I agree that they are pretty bad)

Otherwise, in case you are not an African, I made the experience that African folks in the Central African regions laugh a lot, especially on funerals. There is some logic and wisdom in that behavior, if you ask me.

Make out of it what you want.

Trevor Noah to me is a so-so comedian and has to have a little uncle Tom-ish behavior, who needs to get access to people and accept to appear on his show. I don't blame him for it. Everybody needs to make a living.

Sorry to have touched a raw nerve. I didn't expect it and didn't mean to upset anyone with it.

Peace.

#3.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Not just tRUMP. First of all I mean no offense to anyone that follows Trevor Noah or just like his shows sometimes, or all the time. This is just my opinion alone. When Trevor Noah started on that show I didn't even find it interesting, but that didn't matter as I could say that about anything on TV,so I just forgot about him, until the day Julian Assange was dragged out of the Ecuadoran embassy. It was on YouTube where I came across his report on the event, and if he ever apologized or explained his comments I don't know because I couldn't stand to watch his face another moment. But I doubt it happened, because he was certainly getting a lot of entertainment out of the video of Julian being carried out like a piece of furniture (his description), having fun with with Assange's beard, repeated a concern for Julian's cat and wondering what had happened to it like it was something suspicious. As I best remember it he repeated everything mainstream media had been saying,that Assange was not a good tenant, wasn't a clean living person, joking about Assange riding his skateboard there disturbing others. I'm don't remember if his rambling included the 'smearing feces on walls story' (which showed up in the comment section by others), he spread other lies the media had been priming people with weeks before the eviction,and all with that goofy grin which I sincerely wanted to punch. Fortunately I wasn't the only one in the comment section showing outrage at this very unfunny event, in fact tragic, still is, and even tho I didn't think it was going to make a difference with Trevor Noah I thought others reading thru the comments should hear what they wouldn't be hearing from him. I began with all the trivial things he was using for laughs, like a beard , which even if it were down to his feet it would be insignificant to what was happening, but if anyone wanted to know, the new people at the embassy had long before that day stopped allowing him shaving supplies. Petty meanness. The cat had been given to a good home because as much as Julian loved the company of that cat, he thought more about his cat being put to death if Assange got removed from the embassy. With the attitude of the new staff that seemed so dedicated to making his life more miserable, Assange must've started feeling his time there was coming to an end soon. I went on about the media lies everyone had been fed, and about those people like Trevor Noah who repeated them on a show that was supposed to be funny. Truth be told I never made it to the end of that video, I'd heard all I could stand to hear and more than I wanted to see as he chuckled along. Getting a lot of laughs in the comment section as well, with others throwing in other totally unverifiable stories about Assange, all negative. Maybe on a later time, or day, he didn't treat it like a good story to get laughs from, but I wouldn't know because since then I've refused to watch anything in which Trevor Noah was involved. Fwiw , yes I know about his backstory and that only makes this all worse, and again I do not mean this as a judgement of anyone other than Trevor Noah. In fact my own daughter told me she loves him, and I truly love her, but after that day she no longer posted any of his videos on my Facebook page. To the best of my knowledge she backed off watching him on a regular basis, maybe for a different reason, I don't know, but she is a grown woman it's her decision. Not all so-called comics are on the right side of everything, but there is a red line not to cross somewhere with them all, maybe a racist joke, or a misogynistic one, or some other place they shouldn't have gone. Trevor Noah danced with a grin right across my 'red line'.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by aliasalias on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 11:20pm

No problem, you didn't touch a raw nerve, Trevor Noah does.

@mimi No way anyone here would know that, and I apologize for making you, or anyone else, uncomfortable about it at all. I thought about deleting my comment but got busy doing other things and forgot about it until now.

I'd been reading about how a burst pipe in Belmarsh meant no heating in the wing where Julian is, and then I saw tweets by Stella Morris still having to call for Julian to be issued his winter clothing, and more blankets. The poor man has used books to plug up drafty places in his cell, where he is now held in isolation 24 hours a day instead of 23 because of his frail health and not wanting to be exposed to covid. A valid worry as some covid inmates have been moved to his wing.

So much more too that I don't want to get into here,and then I see Trevor Noah's smiling face and anger got the best of me. Not that there aren't a lot of others that anger me, and even more regarding Julian Assange, but at that moment I wasn't seeing their faces.

My apologies to everyone, I don't think I'm telling anyone anything they don't already know and if I hadn't been following the latest bad news first I might have said nothing, but that wasn't the case and hope everyone knows my apology is sincere.

Submitted by lotlizard on Sun, 01/10/2021 - 2:18am

For the record, I can’t stand Trevor Noah either. n/t

@aliasalias

Submitted by mimi on Sun, 01/10/2021 - 5:31am

Nobody has asked any of you to like Trevor Noah

@lotlizard
so what*s the problem? Just because I posted the video him comparing African Dictators with American Dictators, which I found funny and telling, doesn't mean I am a fan. He is pretty irrelevant to me.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by mimi on Sun, 01/10/2021 - 11:56am

I understand your feelings completely,

@aliasalias
I haven't seen many videos from Trevor Noah, actually almost none. I am simply not someone, who follows anyone on you tube or twitter regularly. I have no nerves or time to do so and don't like it. It's not my kind of job or thingy I would like to do. I was not aware how he spoke about Assange. Apparently he has no idea,where the red lines are, which he should not cross or even touch.

I follow regularly though Jimmy Dore and have not regretted it yet. I have watched The Duran sometimes and couldn't understand, where they stood on issues. Lookout made a remark once about them and then I listened for a while more carefully. Basically if I can"t figure out on my own where people stand, I lose interest. And it makes me angry, when I can"t figure it out on my own. Then I just raise my eyebrows and say to myself, if it's not a waste of time for me to try to understand some people, who don"t express themselves clearly.

At least Jimmy's talk is straight ahead and I understand what he says. Others not so much.

Hopefully that clears it up.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by jakkalbessie on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 6:49pm

Glad C99 is still going strong!

This place is such a great place getting real news, exchange of opinions and thoughts to say nothing of the great music!

Zooming would be a great place to meet some of my fellow travelers that are part of C99.

—

Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.

This ain't no dress rehearsal!

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:08pm

Thank you jb...

@jakkalbessie
Putting a face to an avatar will bring the community even closer.

A big thank you and a tip of the glass to you and dear do, who I greatly miss.

Submitted by Linda Wood on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:14pm

Bless you, JtC!

I don't know where we'd be without you or without C99. Often, I just ask myself, where would the international discussion about peace be without this group of reasoned, down-to-earth, good hearted writers. Thank you all, sincerely.

Submitted by JtC on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:36pm

Thanks Linda...

@Linda Wood
as the open discussion boards on the net dwindle more and more everyday, it's evermore important that c99 survive the censorship onslaught. I'll hang in there s long as you folks do.

Thanks again, my friend.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 7:54pm

Yippee we’re still going strong

Still the best place in the blog-a-sphere to get news and great opinions.

Thanks, JtC, Joe S and everyone.

Submitted by polkageist on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:00pm

Congratulations C99.

I joined on March 5, 2016, and have been a constant reader ever since. C99 is a genuine community of sensible, intelligent, thoughtful, and polite people who discuss what is important to them at the time. This phenomena was once fairly common but, as the partisan tribal nature of our society has become dominant, not too easy to find now. I am so grateful for those who started this site and those who have kept it going. Thank you all.

—

-Greed is not a virtue.
-Socialism: the radical idea of sharing.
-Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962

Submitted by yellopig on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 8:25pm

I ❤ this place!

Happy Birthday to all of us, & Many More!

Thanks, always, to JtC, Joe & all the mods!

—

“We may not be able to change the system, but we can make the system irrelevant in our lives and in the lives of those around us.”—John Beckett

Submitted by BORG_US_BORG on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 9:56pm

♥

I am eternally grateful for finding this site out of the kos pogrom of '16. It is a pleasure to be in the company of such great minds here. I don't comment a lot, but I read almost everything. This site seems like the last bastion of critical thought. I can't even talk to many of my old friends anymore, their thought patterns have become so polluted by id-pol and russiagate.

I finally divorced facebook last fall. So now I just visit here, reddit (which is it's own kind of worm hole, and unfortunately a lot of russiagating), and a guitar forum...

One one hand I would like to see the community grow because of the super high quality of content, but on the other, it is nice to recognize most commenters. And there is a host of other issues if sites get too big too fast as well...

Stay well friends!

Submitted by CS in AZ on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:14pm

Happy Birthday C99%, and thank you so much

I have not been writing as much lately, but I read here every day and cannot imagine being without this touchstone. Thank you to JtC and to everyone who keeps the bright lights on, in all of your various ways.

Happy new year wishes to everyone here, from my little corner of the world, Baja AZ.

Submitted by Bollox Ref on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:16pm

Salute!

Un website meraviglioso.

—

Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

Submitted by thanatokephaloides on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:16pm

meritus

@Bollox Ref

Salute!

Un website meraviglioso.

Website "https://caucus99percent.com" nomen et famam meritissimum est!

—

"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Submitted by on the cusp on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:18pm

I joined up in 2016,

part of the great migration from Top.
I have been here ever since, will stay to the end.
I am having a brandy, so, appropriately,
Prost!

—

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

Submitted by pro left on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:26pm

Happy Birthday C99%

Thanks to all that make this site possible. It is deeply appreciated!

Submitted by joe shikspack on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:37pm

cheers...

happy birthday, everyone!

all of you have made this a wonderful place to hang one's hat.

Submitted by Azazello on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:48pm

Has it really been 6 years ?

Thanks for keeping this thing going, my good friend,
and my brother.
Zoom meetings ?
I don't know.
If I've learned anything about all this,
about blogging for all these years,
and doing meet-ups,
it's that our online personas are inevitably different
from our real live selves.
Thanks again, JtC, and happy 6th everybody

—

We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.

Submitted by janis b on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:58pm

Yeah,

@Azazello

I'm not sure I want to alter any images in my mind's eye ; ).

Submitted by janis b on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 10:48pm

Happy Birthday c99!

In dog years c99 would be almost middle-aged. Thank you JtC, joe and everyone for cultivating and sustaining this wonderful place. There's much that I enjoy here - the thoughtfulness, conversation, perspective, humor, art and music.

Prost to a long life!

Submitted by konondrum on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:07pm

Thanks JtC, joe and everyone else!

This place remains the lifeboat of political sanity in my life.

Submitted by thanatokephaloides on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:37pm

user 339, 04/22/2015

And yes, I'm proud of that fact!

Six years, has it really been that long?

Lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip it's been.....

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuyaK0hGxWk]

Our lifeboat has become a grand old ship, and congratulations to JtC and us all! We are still the hope for the generations....

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c29rlvSu1lM]

—

"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Submitted by janis b on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 11:59pm

Hang loose, like a willow tree

@thanatokephaloides

[video:https://youtu.be/n6XZEgIYqJg]

Submitted by lotlizard on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 3:04am

Happy, Happy Birthday, c99p!

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKQlKygAMrg]

Where would we be without this lifeboat, this oasis, this island? Everywhere around us the icecaps and glaciers of truth melt away, as globalist grifters’ partisan greenhouse gaslighting spreads spiritual distemper.

Submitted by Lookout on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 7:40am

Happy birthday C99

Thanks for all the work to keep the lights on in these dark times.

Thanks to joe for his daily coverage, thanks JtC for the vision and techno wizardry, and thanks to all the participants for rational, evidence based discussions and analysis!

I might have to buy a web cam if the zoom thing happens. Y'all like zoom better than open sourced jitsi? Just curious.

Cheers!
cheers!_0.jpg

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:54am

If you have an obsolete old cell phone that you've

@Lookout

replaced but kept around, you can convert it. If android, look into droidcam.

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 --

Submitted by Lookout on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 11:31am

heh...

@enhydra lutris

I've never had a cell phone. I kid you not.

Went years without a TV, and we use it now mainly as a monitor to watch YouTube and occasional discs.

Thanks for the idea though.

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 12:21pm

We broke down and got ne back when we were out camping

@Lookout

a lot in the trailer. It could serve as an emergency contact, plus for road emergencies with the trailer, and for calling ahead to try to get campsites. That led to two, in cae one was out roaming while one was at camp ans something came up. Then we weere meeting a friend in a mutually unfamiliar locale ans saw them, in short order, locate a nearby pharmacy, deli, and bar and we were sold; smartphones for two. A real boon for frequent road tripperss.

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 --

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:38pm

jitsi I think may be better

@Lookout

follow the least tread path
zoom zoom is getting kinda googlish
if you know what I mean

let's try jitsi

https://jitsi.org

—

question everything

Submitted by thanatokephaloides on Sat, 01/09/2021 - 1:31am

small problem with jitsi

@QMS

There's a small problem with jitsi: it's only available for tablets and cellphones. Those of us who use real computers (BLEND YOUR SMARTPHONES AND SLEDGEHAMMER YOUR TABLETS!) can't use it.

Zoom is available for all. I think OpenMeeting is, too.

—

"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 01/09/2021 - 4:41pm

OK, thanks for that bit of info

@thanatokephaloides

My experience with Jitsi was positive. It was either Steven D or Philly blue that had set it up. I do not own a smart phone or tablet, so was not aware of the restrictive platform. I'm sure the masters can figure it out. Just a passenger.

[video:https://youtu.be/C4Izkay88YI]

—

question everything

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:40am

This is a precious place, because it is so unusual.

We are an umbrella in a hurricane, a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, and every year we continue to talk to each other without destroying ourselves--or being destroyed by operatives, whether human ones or bits of code--is a minor miracle.

The miracle will only continue if people are truly committed to it; if we treat each other as if we are actually a community, and make the survival of the site a high priority. Given our environment, which is toxic and destructive, we can only hold onto this lifeboat if we treat each other with kindness and respect.

Everyone here knows me well enough to know that I don't equate "kindness and respect" with agreement, or pussyfooting around other people's ideas. We can disagree as fiercely as we want. But we must respect each other, and each other's work. If we don't, the site won't be here six years from now. And I surely hope it will be.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by smiley7 on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:42am

Congratulations, JtC!

You deserve deep praise for your continued leadership and dedication to productive and nurturing dialogues in a genre known for divisiveness. Three cheers!

Feel very grateful for having this place away from the madness in company of good people.

Zooming should be fun.

Wishing all the best to you in your new home.

Mahalo.

Submitted by usefewersyllables on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:47am

I joined up here

right at the start also, but under a different username that I had carried over from the Great Orange Satan. And therein lies the rub: using that name there was an act of cosmic naivete and a horrific mistake. I'd used that username in a variety of professional settings since the 80s, and as a result got doxxed post-pogrom by a couple of particularly assholish folks. That created some pain for me in one of my professional settings, so I changed it elsewhere and simply abandoned it here. And then the new name started having the same jackals pecking around the edges, so I abandoned it as well. This is now my third or fourth name. And at least so far, it has been left alone, even on Reddit where I also use it.

I really enjoy this place, and I've come to be comfortable with the folks here. I'm also old enough and cautious enough now that I no longer seem to draw flies, so to speak. So I might might even do the Zoom thing, since it isn't completely public.

Anyhow, thanks once again for the forum, which really is a welcome reservoir of sanity. And everybody be well- and soon come!

—

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Submitted by ggersh on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:24am

Happy B-Day C99%

To JtC and all that bring us this hallowed site a big Thanks!

—

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:42am

Hola Johnny! Congrats! Sorry I'm late to the party,

very hectic these last few days. (OK, the whole Damn new year so far) Thanks waay mucho for setting this place up, keeping it running and riding herd on everybody. Congratulations also on your move to a warmer clime and everything else. I am, of course, up for some zoom meetings.

Again, congrats and thanks ever so much

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 --

Submitted by Granma on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:47am

Congratulations on

Thriving for 6 years C99.

I've participated in both physical and virtual gatherings. For anyone hesitant, I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you attend one. Instant feedback on comments in the faces of people many times. Much nicer than an emoji. And since most of us talk faster than we type, can say a lot more in less time.

If you haven't zoomed before, think in terms of a phone call, with several people you can see as well as hear.

Submitted by RantingRooster on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:56am

Happy Birthday C99,

and Jtc, thank you for allowing me a place to Rant and providing a "good home" for others. And thank you to everyone else for putting up with me.

Jaffa Kree, drinks for everybody!

—

C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote

Submitted by Snode on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 1:11pm

Applause!!!

Standing Ovation...you deserve it, and more.

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:19pm

hmm, can I participate in a zoom meet-up without

saying much? Usually i have nothing to say, but like to see the people, who have something to say.

Let me know one day. Thanks.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by QMS on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:35pm

If my memory serves me correct

@mimi

the last zoom was mostly folks listening
checking each other out
if you were brave enough
one could talk, others listen
not an evaluation so much
as: where is this mind coming from
given free space to express

—

question everything

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:57pm

as I expect now Democracy, Peace and Justice to break

@QMS @QMS
out in the US again... I might accept to be checked out.

At least I can joke a little bit just for amusement. Well. we will see.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by earthling1 on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 2:33pm

Happy birthday C99%

And big thanks to you JtC and to Joe for keeping house for all of us.
And thanks to everyone here who contributes and comments for making it a warm and inviting space to visit.

—

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Submitted by aliasalias on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 3:09pm

I gotta say many thanks for this site & thanks for the cap!

So far only a couple of people have asked me about the cap, but then basically everywhere I used to hang out is closed due to covid.
Whether or not I comment, I really appreciate the people and the place. I look here every single day and will continue as long as I'm able to and for as long as it is here and I have a working computer.

Without scrolling thru names I want to thank everyone, without exception, for their essays and commentary, and hope it continues a long time.

Thanks for being here.

Submitted by randtntx on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 7:41pm

Happy Birthday C99!

Many thanks for this place JtC. It's so great.
Thanks to everyone, you all, in your various ways, make this site such a fantastic forum. I learn so much here and I appreciate this place tremendously.

Submitted by dystopian on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 9:27pm

Happy Birthday C99%

Thanks for being the spine and brains to keep it going JtC! I am sure it is a dirty thankless job, for the most part. You do great work! Welcome to Texas from another transplant. If you are not careful they will trick you into staying...

Thanks to all that make it the great place it is!

Cheers!

—

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

Submitted by Sima on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 10:41pm

Happy Birthday!

Much gratitude and support from a long time lurker, since 2016 or before! I value this site so much, I learn so much. 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

Submitted by Fishtroller 02 on Sat, 01/09/2021 - 2:36pm

Happy 6th and many many more!

—

"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin

Submitted by Dawn's Meta on Sat, 01/09/2021 - 4:08pm

Late to the birthday party, Happy Birthday C99.

Thank you JtC, Joe S, Gulf Gal and all who contribute essays, comments and thoughts.

A truly good place to be in this crazy time. Being able to ask what others think about what is going on without facing ridicule is a most valuable thing.

Out of the many the tapestry of all that is Caucus 99 becomes.

My gratitude.

—

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

Submitted by magiamma on Sat, 01/09/2021 - 5:45pm