Open Thread - Friday, November 2, 2018

Submitted by NCTim on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 3:20am

We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
~ Elie Wiesel ~

What a funkin' week, eh?

Once upon a time, I lived about 1/2 mile from The Tree of Life Synagogue. Pittsburgh's racial and ethnic groups have worked, played, partied, prayed and protested together for decades. Most Caucasian Yinzers are descendants of turn of the century immigrants. Pittsburgh was a hot bed of union labor organizing. The existence of union labor fostered a middle and working class minority population, providing rich cultural returns.

My personality contains extra Pittsburgh, so I looked forward to Dunning Kruger Trump visiting Pittsburgh. I thought John Fetterman should have greeted Trump, and shook his hand, hard. If you are in PA, https://johnfetterman.com/ I am tuned into what a Pittsburgher would think of the bloviating blowhard 45.

I voted.

The tribalists and sectarians are trying to pit neighbors against one another for their own nefarious reasons. It is crime against humanity.

Franklin Graham? Are you funkin' kidding me?

Monday, was Sue and my 35th anniversary, and yesterday would have been her 60th birthday.

Oh well, chin up and carry on.

After all, it's the weekend! Yeah, Sista Monica testifying!

Have a great weekend! The thread is OPEN.

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Open Thread

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Comments

Submitted by HenryAWallace on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 5:44am

Good Morning, NCTim. Good to see you.

As it happens, I know a Sister Monica. She is a grandaughter of William Rockefeller, brother of John D who became a nun in a religious community that has been accused repeatedly of being a cult. In her shoes, I don't know if I would have taken a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience. But that's me, obviously, not her.

Trump is, of course, a turd with the most ambitious comb over I've ever seen. However, those who have power over us stink and have stunk for quite some time. Some of Trump's predecessors were just a hell of a lot smoother and more covert about their stank. Like Obama, pretending he wasn't still "torturing some folks" to name only one.

Maybe those with power over America's hoi polloi always stank, whether or not covertly. Andrew Jackson, alleged founder of the modern Democratic Party leaps to mind--and the New Deal was not the only thing FDR gave Americans, as Hikaru Kato Sulu has reminded us. Maybe we just notice the stench more now that every brain fart of the POTUS gets covered all day long and retweeted again and again. I am still too tired this am to sort all that out. And, it now being November, I must, of course, prepare to report for duty in the annual war against Christmas.

I am not, however, too tired to wish you and all your readers a good weekend. Heck, why be a piker? I wish all of you a great weekend and a great rest of 2018.

Submitted by NCTim on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 5:39am

Good morning

@HenryAWallace I agree, stink, stank, stunk. How many grinch remakes can there be? What do you have against Amazon Walmart Day? The most sacred of holidays? Happy Holdays!

—

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -

Submitted by HenryAWallace on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 6:15am

"What do you have against Amazon Walmart Day?"

@NCTim

Truth be told, I rather enjoy the entire season in many ways. I am simply loathe to disappoint our far right fundamentalist brethren, who are ever on the alert for signs that we are combating Christmas and seem somehow to conflate nativity statues or a pagan tree on government property with the birth of Jesus. (That they do conflate those things is a perfect reason why any symbol of Christmas does not belong on government property.)

Of course, the Supreme Court fucked that one up royally, not to mention the Pledge of Allegiance. But, what can we do, other than reverently whisper "amen" after the SCOTUS clerk begins the court's public day with "God bless the United States and this Honorable Court?"

Of course, Congress, too, opens with a prayer and there is the National Prayer Breakfast, which provides yet another opportunity for government officials to importune God to bless America.

Me? I just get down on my knees every day and thank God Almighty for separation of church and state in these blessed United States. /s

Submitted by NCTim on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 6:21am

I am looking forward to ...

@HenryAWallace the season of dark beers.

—

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 8:12am

Good morning, HAW. This nation was founded by colonists,

@HenryAWallace
an innocent looking word that means "imperialist assholes set on thieving and arrogating to themselves control and power over the land, resources and, if present, people(s) of some foreign land". Read their works closely, it's pretty much stank all the way down. This place, once sufficiently stolen and controlled and pried loose from its remote owners was designed and written into law as an oligarchy that was in part a plutocracy, but without the leveling influence that plutocracy grants new money procured by the lower classes.

—

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 Raggedy Ann on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 6:21am

Good morning, Tim ~~~

We have returned from a successful mission to move the kids to Boston and it's taken me a day to get my feet back under me.

We arrived in the nor'easter in NYC and made our way to the Port Authority in Manhattan. We caught our bus to Binghamton. Even in the rain, it was a beautiful drive. I got a lifelong wish to see some fall New England colors.

Of course, being constricted to my walking boot, I only supervised the loading of the uhaul. On Sunday morning, we took off for Boston and arrived early afternoon. They are actually in Quincy. On Tuesday we went to the cathedral named Fenway Park. The boys were in heaven. My son said since my husband and I had experience using public transportation in large cities, he wanted our expertise to help them get some confidence about using it daily, so we helped them navigate the train system, called the T. We also took ourselves to the airport on the T. I loved that!

So, back to reality next week. But with the holidays coming up, I'll look forward to lots of time off with people who make my life enjoyable.

Anniversaries and birthdays are the reminders that our loved one is no longer in our physical presence. We feel the emptiness, the loneliness, and the pain of their absence during these times. I send peaceful and healing thoughts your way, dear friend.

Have a beautiful day and weekend, folks!

—

"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 NCTim on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 6:32am

Autumn is my favorite

@Raggedy Ann I watched some of the Steelers, to see what was up in Pittsburgh. It was noticeable that the leaves were still mostly green. Boston is a mega-opolis, so it will take awhile to get their bearings. Winter shoes and coat/hat should have properties to deal with wet. Particularly for a public transportation commuters. IMO, hooded insulated raincoat with backpack is optimal.

—

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 6:52am

Excellent suggestions.

@NCTim
My nephew works for Patagonia. I've given them his number!

—

"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 WaterLily on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 2:34pm

Hey RA!

@Raggedy Ann Though I no longer live there, I'm a native Bostonian and it made me smile to read of your adventures in my home"town." Glad the kids are settled and you got to experience some foliage (although, the colors have been decidedly less vibrant this year ... 'cause of the crazy run of 90-plus degree days?). The boys will get the hang of the T in no time.

Happy weekend to you!

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 3:20pm

Thanks, Eagles92!

@WaterLily
I've never been there, so I'm thrilled they are there. Indeed, the T was pretty easy to navigate. I'm really happy they are there - a new vacation spot for me!

—

"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 eyo on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 7:33am

Make Beer Not Bombs

Every day I walk along the (Russian!) River path, I see the water wells the beer factory built. Thanks Bear Flag Republic. If I drank alcohol, I might try the Black Raven Nitro in winter.
PEACE
---
US grants waivers to 8 countries importing Iranian oil: Report
The Waiver in Chief caved again, but sshh don't tell anyone. It is good when he caves, I like it.

The waivers would ensure the continued flow of Iran’s crude oil to the global market, potentially calming fears of a supply crunch and further suppressing international oil prices just before midterm elections in the US.

However, the waivers seem to be making the sanctions totally irrelevant, as the countries receiving them account for a lion’s share of the oil Iran exports.

According to the Iranian Oil Ministry, 60 percent of the country’s oil exports go to Asian countries, including China and India – the two top clients – as well as South Korea and Japan, and the remaining 40 percent to European countries including Turkey.

---
In case anyone is following gulfgal98's essays about missing trillions... do all politics end up local? Yep, I guess so: Housing Authority to get $10 million bailout from HUD; blames $30 million shortfall on unqualified employees

At a San Francisco Housing Authority meeting Tuesday, the agency’s executive director announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has agreed to give them $10 million to help cover a recently discovered $30 million shortfall.

Barbra Smith, acting executive director of the housing authority, said Tuesday the shortfall was caused by unqualified financial employees who lacked the very specific skill sets required to work in public housing financing.

The shortfall was discovered when HUD officials contacted the agency to tell them they appeared to be on track to run out of funds before the end of the year.

“We’ve actually had to let a couple people go,” Smith said. “Quite honestly, (the employees) were not able to perform some routine reporting to HUD. So our data we were reporting to HUD was not correct.”
...
“This is not a case of malfeasance or malicious intent,” said Daniel Adams, deputy director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing, the agency that will assume some functions of the housing authority. “This is an error in accounting and one that we’re defining and addressing.”

Rounding error? lol I don't know.

stop war
start peace

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 7:40am

Good Morning Tim and 99%'ers!

Fall color has finally arrived in the lower elevations of western NC! It took temps falling last week into the 30's to make it all happen. And then Boom! It was almost overnight that everything suddenly changed. It was over one week later than normal and not great color. The guy who rates the color every year predicted a 2 or weak 3 out of 10, with 10 being the best. So expectations are low. Lucky for us the previous owner of this house planted a green Japanese maple in the front yard and it never disappoints in the fall.

Yesterday, a flock of purple finches descended upon my bird feeder. There were nine in this bunch and they shoo'ed away the other birds from the feeder. The seed levels are descending rapidly! They must be migrating through here.

Anniversaries and birthdays are always so difficult after losing a loved one. It is okay to mourn. But take care of your self too.

Have a wonderful day, all.

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by Lookout on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 7:52am

good morning

It is damp here. We had about an inch of rain yesterday. The fall colors are still muted, but are beginning to show. Other than yesterday's rain, it has been nice walking weather this week, and I've been getting out for a morning and evening stroll. Winter is around the corner.

I like the changing of the seasons, and watching the trees respond. Much like our own lives - birth to death - spring flows to winter. Here's hoping you all have a lovely autumn weekend.

—

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 8:24am

Hola, Tim. Top O the Morning to everybody. The

temps and some of the leaves are dropping. Now comes the fun "celebrating" holidays I don't believe in and enjoying them in my own way without being too offensive too often to all and sundry. "No, I don't give thanks to mythical beings, only to existing volitional sentient actors who have gratuitously done a good thing for me or mankind." My greatest sin this year will lie in the fact that my wife and I are trying to serve mostly wholesome food in reasonable quantities for the traditional feast of gorging.

Beyond that, I get to go somewhat all out in pagan displays for Yule because we/I never could for the first 30 years of my life due to financial straits. Wishing all, well in advance, a merry giftmas, heh.

Thanks for the tunes and OT, Tim, and have a great 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 dkmich on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 9:35am

Fall is pretty much over in southern MIchigan,

Up north, I doubt there is a leaf left on a tree.

We are bombarded with TV campaign ads. It is as if the Dems have discovered Michigan. Go figure?

4 more days, and the ads will all go away.

—

"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Submitted by mhagle on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 1:36pm

Thanks for the OT. One of my dogs is dying today.

Sorry for the loss you feel. Know you have the good memories to cherish too, as you have shared many of them.

One of our rescue dogs is dying today. Dixie. She is a black lab whose original owners moved away and left her. When our kids were small, husband used to take them to the park everyday after school. This dog who appeared to be homeless, started showing up every day. Eventually husband brought her home and put up a sign in town. Someone called and told us her story so she became our dog. She's good. A gentle giant, but not a shepherd dog. We learned that quickly when we put her with our goats one time! She has had much attention over the years as my husband used to take her with him on trips to his brother's ranch.

Dixie is probably 13 or 14. She has had trouble with arthritis the past few years. Vitamins helped. Months ago one of her claws came out and it has been difficult getting it to heal. A few weeks ago we declared victory on the paw when she started vomiting. I tried every home remedy we could think of. Finally realized this is the cancer the vet told us she had in a tumor years ago.

Anyway. She stopped eating yesterday. We are doing doggie hospice.

—

Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Submitted by WaterLily on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 3:02pm

Aw.

@mhagle Sending healing thoughts your way, Marilyn. Your family was there for Dixie when she first needed it most, and you're there now when she next needs it most. Not that this makes any of it any easier. Been there, done that with several furry family members. But take comfort in knowing your compassion matters, and Dixie feels that right now.

Tim - I haven't interacted with you much here, so you probably don't even recognize my username, but I want to send a hug across the miles at the end of what has been a poignant week for you. Sue is smiling from somewhere, knowing how much you love her still.

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