Open Thread - Thurs 11 Jan 2024: Ring in the New Year
Ring In the New Year!
Many of us have thoughts on the old year, as we ring in the new. R.J. Eskow (The Zero Hour on Youtube) recently published his musing about the past year, and I found my own thoughts on 2023 to be reflected in the essay. The piece is called '2023: The year the monster showed its face'.
Eskow quotes MLK speaking about the three triplets - racism, extreme materialism and militarism - which Eskow likens to the three faces of a monster:
They’re the three heads of a single creature with many arms: social, ecological, imperial, even spiritual. We knew about this monster years ago. The people we admired, like Dr. King and Malcolm X, talked about it. It was debated, protested. Then it was forgotten. Soon, people doubted it was ever real.
But it is. It has shown its face in the destruction of Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian supporters blocking I-5 in Seattle. From this article, with many more pictures, on the protestors calling for a cease fire.
He ends by discussing the destruction of the monster. Since we made it, we can destroy it, and go beyond the guilt and despair that many of us are feeling. And he suggests ways to do such (protesting, calling Congress) and how to see that we have the power to fight such monsters.
Another piece he published recently which I really agree was on the Ukraine - 'Ukraine Needs a Ceasefire, Not Biden’s $50 Billion Escalation of a Lethal and Failing War'.
This graph which he produced showing the US spending on Ukraine versus spending on other US entities like NIH, CDC and the FDA really says it all:
US Spending on the Ukraine War and Other US Expenditures from Eskow's article linked above.
Something Uplifting!
Here's a very neat video of two children watching videos with a gorilla. Yes, I said that right 
This gorilla in the Louisville, Kentucky, Zoo is known for watching videos on cellphones, ipads, etc, with humans and asking them to swipe ahead. Watch Jelani's hand!
So, thanks for reading and here's the open thread - and remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Happy Thursday!
I hope everyone is doing really well despite all the crazy weather. It's cold, rainy, snowy, icy and... time to get seeds started here in the greenhouse in a few days. Yikes!
I wanted to apologize for not being around last week. I even missed commenting on the Thurs Open Thread I'd put up. Sorry for that! I read all the comments, just couldn't reply
There were health issues with my dementia-ridden Dad which finally resulted in hubby and I, and my Mom and sister, spending all of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in the ER with my Dad. It was a long night and, boy, am I tired! But Dad's now as well as he can be and here we are!
I very much hope everyone else's week has been less stressful than mine. Let us know what's up with you in the Open Thread!
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
good morning Sima and all
-
gorillas enjoy videos? OK then. They must know something I do not.
Jumping right in to the latest, biggest distraction being foisted on us.
World social and political pressure against the latest Zion land grab in
Palestine is steadily growing. The extremity of their methods this time
is not escaping universal notice.
The nutty&yahoo regime has worn out the 'right to self defense' card.
And the anti-semite ploy has gone to the discard pile. Now that an international
trial on genocide is going forward, the Israel argument seems to be
'things are not as they seem' (except for all the evidence to the contrary).
It will be telling how effective the IJC ruling will be on international relations.
Without meaningful reprecussion, the best outcome to be expected is a more
coordinated sanction against the regime. Break their banks. Houthis and Hezbollah
are woking on that already. The wrench in the process is the US continued supply
of armaments. This puts the Biden team in the hot seat.
Hope your dad is resting more comfortably.
Thanks for the OT!
~
question everything
Good points about Gaza and Israel...
I hope the IJC can do something. Also, I love the name 'nutty&yahoo'. Perfect.
Good Music!
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
Good morning...
A chilly 30 F here this AM but headed to 60. Time for covers to go back on today. Headed to the teens next week. We'll also use straw to protect our two growing beds. We've got so much in the freezer, we wonder why we bother with winter growing? Old habits are hard to break I guess. We may forgo it next winter, and live off spring greens. One thing I would say about cold season crops is they sure are sweet. I think the plants use sugar as an antifreeze.
Sorry about your Dad's health challenges. We've got an in law in similar difficulties, but she is fighting it all. Wants to go back home but is incapable of living on her own. The burden is on our niece rather than us. Getting old is a trip. I hope my journey is easier than all that. So far so good.
Must admit to farming out more things to hired help as I age. Just don't have the strength and balance of my youth. Simply a fact of aging.
Well, take care. All the best to your family and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Farming in the Winter...
We used to do that. Now, it's just garlic and maybe some left over leeks, celery, etc. Used to plant lettuce outside under cover and other plants too. Lettuce gets grown in the greenhouse now, since we don't need so much of it. And it grows a LOT faster in the small pots in the greenhouse warmth than outside in the 30s.
Hope your niece is doing ok as she takes on the resistance of the old person she's caring for. It's so hard. All aspects of the getting old path are hard, except maybe... maybe... retirement, if a person can retire. Heh!
Supposed to be a high in the mid 20s here tomorrow. That is really, really unusual. Maybe even the leeks are gonna freeze :(.
Keep on going down the good, easy, old age trip. I'm heading that way myself if I can
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
Good morning Sima, sorry about your father and the
impact on your lives.
I love the title, Ring in the New Year because yes! Ring dat bell!
I envision the classic rustic one-horse town with a centrally located town bell to be rung in times of crisis or to signal an emergency; a fire, marauding banditos, a bank robbery or a coming tornado. Yep, and it is a new year, and an election year to boot, so, fer sure, time to ring that damn bell.
But wait, the banditos aren't coming, they're already here, and they're not robbing the bank, they own the damn bank. In fact, they own the whole damn town because what they don't own outright they can take on many pretexts and, since they own the mayor, the council, the sheriff and the judge, what they do will stick. Fortunately, it is an election year. Worry not ye citizens for soon you get to decide upon your leadership your very selves. This year we proudly proffer you the choice between Edward (Blackbeard) Teach, and Buggsy Siegal, so, yes, you may rest easy that the future is yours to decide.
Yeah, Ring that damn bell.
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 --
apropos
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 --
Choice between 'blackbeard' and Bugsby?
Boy, is that spot on! Banditos... go away!
We have one of those huge bells, believe it or not. We used to use it to bring in whoever was working out in the field for lunch, etc. But the neighbors complained! Too loud!!! And they are acres away. So... after reading your comment, I think we'll use it to ring in the new year. It's not as awful sounding as their d&mned fireworks (those scare the goats, the dog, the humans...).
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
I hear hell's bells
"Hell's bells!" was my uncle's favorite epithet. For some reason I loved hearing him say it. He was a combat marine in the Pacific war.
This seems appropriate given the terrible events going on.
Sorry to hear of your father's difficulties Sima. Best wishes to you and your family. Appreciate your efforts here at C99.
語必忠信 行必正直
Well, if you ever decide to start your own blog
... or substack, , I can't imagine a better name for it.
Maybe Hell's Bells should be...
the official 'Ring it In' song :).
I appreciate your comments here at C99. 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
Can anybody confirm the following from western media
sources?
thanks
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 --
Yup it’s true
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240111/iranian-navy-detains-us-oil-tanker-in-...
Seems like it’s the one that Biden stole first. Or one of the ones he has stolen. Oil prices would go down if America wasn’t sanctioning so many countries and allowing their oil on the market.
Yeah, thanks, I got it from Sputnik, but wondered if US
or UK press had said anything about it.
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 --
Oil prices would go down...
That's why Biden and the others, doesn't matter the 'color' of the government official(s), are doing this stuff. So the prices stay up. And drill, drill, drill! Right?
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
additional reports
The Guardian Iran seizes oil tanker with links to US in Gulf of Oman
Reuters Iran seizes oil tanker involved in US-Iran dispute in Gulf of Oman - state media
The Associated Press Iran’s navy seizes oil tanker in Gulf of Oman that was at the center of a major US-Iran crisis
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Thanks soe n/t
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 --
Thanks for these...
n/t
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
Sima, I am glad you got things
sorted out for your Dad. My family went through many extremely difficult situations with Mom.
Eskow is good. I haven't read his articles in a while, so thanks for them.
The gorilla video was mesmerizing! Wonder if he was watching a Tarzan video?
I had a court hearing get cancelled, so my afternoon was impulse shopping. We bought a used 8 ft x 20 ft container for a storage shed. This will give us some room to do some improvements on my hay barn, convert it to a livable tiny home. A low pressure, fairly inexpensive upgrade, maybe a possible rental one day in the future.
The day will end well. I do not have to cook dinner!!!!
Thanks for the OT, and I hope Stinky is doing great.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It is both comforting...
and sad to know others have experienced this kind of thing with their relatives. I'm sorry you had to do so with your mother. It sucks.
Not sure what video the gorilla was watching, but that gorilla has watched others (there's other youtubes of it doing so:) ).
Impulse shopping works. Did some of that myself, but ended up with expensive 'homemade' fudge. *boggle* Converting the hay barn to a tiny home is a GOOD idea. We've had people asking us if we have a tiny home on our land. We don't, yet. Who knows though?
I didn't cook dinner either. Hubby brought fresh soup home and I had to do a bit of work and butter some crackers to have with the soup. But that was it!
Stinky is doing really well, considering how old he is, and how cold it is right now. Jaska is too. Thanks for stopping by!
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
Sadness engulfs me
-
My banker friend died over the holidays. Developed a cough, went to hospital
lasted less than 24 hrs. 37 y/o with a 9 y/o daughter. Rapid onset, rapid demise.
She was really alive, helpful, and a joy to exchange and be with a week ago.
Something is going on, not sure what. I am devastated. RIP Lisa.
question everything
Qms
Dammit! Sorry for your loss of a friend, and her kid? Man, no Mamma anymore? That was hard enough for me when I was in my 50s. Man, oh man.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I... OMG...
I'm so sorry, so sorry. 37 years old? Good grief. Long distance hugs and... I don't have much else I can say. My heart is weeping for Lisa's little girl. RIP
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