Open Thread TOP Edition - Friday, April 8, 2016
I love word play double entendre, puns, limericks or any type of word mischief is appreciated.
A flea and a fly in a flue
Were imprisoned, so what could they do?
Said the fly, "let us flee!"
"Let us fly!" said the flea.
So they flew through a flaw in the flue.
—Ogden Nash
I think the fly would flee through the flaw in the flue, but the flea can't flee with the fly through the flaw in the flue, because the flea can't fly.
Welcome to the TOP edition of Funk Friday, it is a special funkin' day, for today we muster with Tower Of Power.
Welcome to the DFH scene, I hope everyone is smoking only the best weed. I would like to remind everyone this incongruous stream of prattle turns into a lucid and cogent essay for those under the influence.
I was a bit intrepid about last week's public service announcement. In a bit of serendipity, some of our other denizens were noticing the chaos and several people took on organizing and posting beneficial material. I encourage everyone to check out the sight meta threads. I only have one thing to add, and the person I am talking to knows who they are, TOP Funk Friday is not an excuse to post disco!
I think TOP may have missed the boat.
The anxiety over the chaos reminded me of when my wife and I first set up household. It was a Saturday afternoon and she had left me home alone. I was doing something that required scissors, but could not find a pair. I looked in the junk drawer. I looked in tool boxes. I looked where we kept the stationary and paper supplies. I looked everywhere I thought scissor might be stashed. By the time my wife returned home I was exasperated and met her in the driveway with scissors on my mind. I asked, "Where are the scissors?". Her answer, "The silverware drawer, where they belong.".
Let's remind ourselves about our information age, while TOP keeps funking it up.
10 Modern Methods Of Mind Control
The more one researches mind control, the more one will come to the conclusion that there is a coordinated script that has been in place for a very long time with the goal to turn the human race into non-thinking automatons. For as long as man has pursued power over the masses, mind control has been orchestrated by those who study human behavior in order to bend large populations to the will of a small “elite” group.
Today, we have entered a perilous phase where mind control has taken on a physical, scientific dimension that threatens to become a permanent state if we do not become aware of the tools at the disposal of the technocratic dictatorship unfolding on a worldwide scale.
Modern mind control is both technological and psychological. Tests show that simply by exposing the methods of mind control, the effects can be reduced or eliminated, at least for mind control advertising and propaganda. More difficult to counter are the physical intrusions, which the military-industrial complex continues to develop and improve upon.
NOAM CHOMSKY - TOP 10 MEDIA MANIPULATION STRATEGIES
Noam Chomsky, the distinguished American philosopher, political activist and professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has compiled a list of the ten most powerful and efficacious strategies used by “masters of the world” to establish a manipulation of the population through the media.
The strategies are so well-elaborated that even the countries with the best educational systems, succumb to the power and terror of those mafias. Many things are reported in the news but few are explained.
The Dumbing Down of America – By Design
This presentation focuses on the myriad ways in which the powers-that-be in the United States have been systematically dumbing down Americans as a society for a very long time – all by meticulously calculated design. Originally the term dumbing down was used as a slang expression in 1933 by film screenwriters to mean “revising [the script] so as to appeal to those of lower education or intelligence.”
The most obvious example of how Americans have been dumbed down is through this nation’s failed public education system. At one time not that long ago America reigned supreme as a leading model for the rest of the world providing the best quality free public K-12 education system on the planet. But over the last many decades while much of the rest of the world has been passing us by, it seems an insidious federal agenda has been implemented to condition and brainwash a population of mindless, robotic citizenry that simply does what it’s told, and of course the brainwashing commences early in America’s schools.
Media Deception: You Are Not Getting The Truth
Let me begin by stating that all in the world is not as you have been told. The old saying that "truth is stranger than fiction" couldn't be more accurate, for we have been deceived on such a grand scale that most would have a difficult time in comprehending the full extent.
The behind the scenes machinations of big money and politics are so well hidden from most of the population, that if people actually knew how things were really run, we would quite literally have a second revolution overnight. Henry Ford knew this well when he said, "It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
Most people who read this might have a hard time fathoming how an entire nation could be so well deceived, but it's really not that hard when you understand the inner workings and hierarchy of an overly revered media in which we place our blind trust.
The truth is not as you know it. Our faith in the media myth has been our Achilles heel.
Many have realized long ago that our politicians will lie to us at the drop of a hat, but most have no clue that our news media lies and deceives us just as much, if not more so.
We have been deceived by our media to such an extent, mostly because people are too trusting of our news system. They very naively believe that broadcasters and journalists would never lie to us. This trust has worked against us with devastating consequences which are unknown to most.
To understand how badly you have been misled, you first need to learn about how our news organizations have been infiltrated. Once you learn this undeniable historical fact, it is far easier to understand that life is not as you know it.
====================================================================
Tower Of Power - So I Got To Groove
Tower Of Power - Down To The Nightclub
Tower Of Power - Soul Vaccination
Tower Of Power - Squib Cakes
Tower of Power - Pocketful Of Soul
Tower Of Power - Spank-A-Dang
Comments
Mornin' Tim,
and 99ers.
The truth is not as you know it. Our faith in the media myth has been our Achilles heel.
Awhile back, my sigline was "America is so not like her hype."
A tongue twister to start the day off right.
Betty Batter bought a bit of butter, but the bit of butter Betty Batter bought was bitter, so Betty Batter bought a bit of better butter to make the bitter butter better.
And, yes, I can recite it flawlessly.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste."
Too late now.
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Butter makes things better
Even bitter butter is better.
That's what I'm funkin' sayin'
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 -
My husband can too!
He can still recite it, very quickly, for our children when they were younger. They would laugh and giggle with glee every time.
Just fyi, in our book it was "Betty Botter".
Scissors.
Your wife is right, they do belong in the silverware drawer.
I have a pair there to open food stuffs. If one can afford it, every room needs its own pair of scissors. I have a few small pair, like for kids crafts, that I keep here and there because the need always comes up! They were inexpensive, came in a package set.
On a very non-related note, I was wondering how to center a picture in a story. I assume the regular center tag will work. On the FAQ page, it says:
but, I don't think there is an HTML FAQ.
I use the center tag
The scissors story is intended to illustrate how we are a product of our environment. In the house where I grew up, the scissors were not kept in the silverware drawer. I have been converted. There is a pair of scissors in the kitchen drawer, probable more than one. If I had to guess there are probably 20 pairs around here somewhere.
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 -
we keep a set in the kitchen, as well
but it's in a drawer with screwdrivers, bottle openers, and other such tools. And a set on each of our desks, one in the glove box of my bus, on one on my workbench...and a few in various art supply stashes for my partner!
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Scissors too
They should be everywhere within reach... like electrical outlets. I've often thought a sturdy pair of scissors would be much more practical in a "survival" situation than a hubungous knife. (Maybe that's because I can sew?)
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My favorite pair is the shears from the knife block
No messin' around.
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 -
Speaking of electrical outlets
I've found that most older hotels/motels don't have near enough outlets for the multiplicity of electronic devices that most people travel with these days (laptop, tablet, cell phones, maybe a portable game system or two for the kids), and the outlets there are tend to be in awkward locations. I travel with both a surge strip and an extension cord (keep them in my suitcase even when it's in storage) so I'm prepared for most situations.
scissors and knives
The Army of Switzerland tends to agree with you.....
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
Through three cheese trees...
“Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew. While these fleas flew, freezy breeze blew. Freezy breeze made these three trees freeze. Freezy trees made these trees' cheese freeze. That's what made these three free fleas sneeze.”
-- Dr. Suess, with whom I share a birthday
"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it."
-- John Lennon
Fozen cheese is worse than bitter butter
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 -
A driver was stuck in a
A driver was stuck in a traffic jam on the beltway outside Washington DC.
Nothing was moving.
Suddenly, a man knocks on the window.
The driver rolls down the window and asks, "What's going on?"
"Terrorists have kidnapped Congress, and they're asking for a $100 million dollar ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them all in gasoline and set them on fire. We are going from car to car, collecting donations."
"How much is everyone giving, on average?" the driver asks.
The man replies, "Roughly a gallon."
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I laughed
OUT LOUD! Does that make me a bad person?
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
If so I am bad too! ;-) - n/t
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Me too!
I can afford a couple gallons.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
I lol'd too!
I lol'd too!
Heh
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 -
Huffinglue Post has the Vapors - "Qualify This!"
Qualify This
Is that the infamous Blackberry?
(No snark) What HAS Clinton actually accomplished in all her years in [cough, cough] service? Nothing comes to mind.
I read hereabouts that Bernie pushed through over 90 amendments in Congress--23 by voice vote alone. Those must have been pretty well written.
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Here is a handy chart!
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First Nations News
Handy indeed!
A very handy chart indeed. TY for sharing this morning, Martha!
and another nice chart
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
one more
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Thanks!
Those are both nice charts!
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Accomplishments are in the
eye of the beholder. The Mad Bomber has accomplished a lot. None of it is good news. Her accomplishments are what make her qualified to many women. Her main accomplishment seems to be that she is successfully realized her lifelong ambitions. Power and wealth. It's the breaking corporate glass ceilings mindset.
There is woman on my street who after 2007 did not speak to me for about a year because I was working grassroots for Obama's campaign. I worked full time for his campaign about 3 mos. in the primary. I was very vocal and enthusiastic about getting some change. I used to talk politics with her while gardening in my front yard. She did not like me bad mouthing HRC because she identified with her on a professional level. In her personal life she is a smart, feminist, liberal, 'progressive' member of the community but she doesn't connect these values to electoral politics.
She is the breadwinner of their household. Her husband is the househusband. When I first met her I asked her what it was she did. She said she was a manager, and all her sisters we're managers too. I asked what do you manage? The people who work under me.
She admires Hillary because she is a successful bad ass woman who has made it. She thinks HRC is/was the brains behind Big Dog and has won the race to the top. It does not matter what Hillary has actually done with her success anymore then it mattered what it was she or her sisters managed.
We saw her yesterday on a walk and she asked if we're supporting Bernie like her husband was. We asked who she was supporting. She's sitting on the fence, leaning towards Hillary. Why I asked? Bernie makes her mad because it's just so easy for him. She likes his policies and message but it's so easy for him? What does that mean?
Shah told me it means Bernie can't manage to accomplish anything he talks about with the populist political revolution because he's not qualified. It's easy for him as he doesn't have to deliver? Who knows, just some musing on the reasons a woman I admire and like is leaning toward HRC. At least she's sitting on the fence this time around. I had the good sense to keep my big mouth shut as I could tell if I let loose with a Hillary rant I would push her right off that swaying fence.
That chart with the number of bills introduced
and the amendments he's put through would help in a case like that -- point out the positives of Sanders rather than the negatives of Clinton. Get a copy of of Tasini's The Essential Bernie Sanders and encourage her to leaf through it when she has a chance. If she's really on the fence she should have an open enough mind to hear the truth about Sanders, not the media or Clinton Campaign messages.
A great idea
she is not at all into the mainstream media and I see her reading books on her porch a lot. I think she really is on the fence. unlike the Hilbot's who claim to be on dkos. She's into 'pragmatism' rather then political stances or ideology. If she could read about what he has accomplished in his long political career it might be better then having to deal with the campaigning madness.
Wow Shaz!
You mailed it!
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
WHAT IF Berniecrats re-registered to Independent after
their respective Primaries?
Not to be too melodramatic, but would that help the revolution? Would it cause any stirrings of conscience among the Elite?
Would such a move have any practical effect, iow?
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I expect that after the primaries
if Sanders is not the nominee that many, many people will re-register as Independent. I fully expect that Sanders will continue to head the Progressive Party to bring about change. He has We the People.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass
Mrs.B was Independent. Changed to D for Bernie
I'm going to change to I too just as soon as the primary here is over.
If the notion can be spread it can send a real message that we're sick and tired and we're not going to take it anymore.
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I have long been either Green or Independent
switched to D for the "primary" here (yes, my vote actually got counted!), with the intention of switching back right after. Haven't gotten around to it yet. I should do it today.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
That was our biggest failure here in AZ.
Yeah, you did it right and we thank you for that. But the campaign just couldn't get the word out to enough people that you had to register Dem to vote for Bernie.
We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.
It was almost as if the campaign didn't know
They didn't show up (at least down here) until it was too late to register.
We'd been pounding that fact at the Farmers Market every week, at two parades in Sierra Vista, at the County Fair in Douglas, and every other chance we got. And STILL it was a mess. Friends of ours couldn't vote! Very frustrating.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
A new party could be created
get Jill Stein to join up with the Berniecrats and create a new party.
I'm a dreamer.
To thine own self be true.
I like your dream
It's not that far fetched. Politics are not static. The history of American political parties and factions is rife with morphing, merges,splinters, and rebirth's out of the ashes of defunct dead parties. . The Democratic party as it stands should and could go the way of the Whigs. As I look around the world these dark days I see the rekindling of democracy and populism. I'm rooting for The Pirate Party in Iceland. I stand behind the Corbynista's in the UK and am glad that Trudeau got elected. I think that people in the US have had enough of the binary oligarchical brands of R and D who extort their consent. 43% and rising are indies and contrary to Dem party line they are not all RW nut jobs.
I do think it's important
to establish robust parties beyond the duopoly.
What I think is also important is leaving those parties, even if you don't register with another. One of the ways to demonstrate that the whole system is a sham is to drain the parties of members. Don't cast votes for them.
How legitimate is a supposedly democratic election, if the "majority" that a candidate wins is the majority of the 10% of people left who are voting for your party, at all?
I'd love to see us develop robust parties beyond the Rs and Ds. We've struggled to do that. The Greens aren't getting enough traction. There is a call out there to have all the people on the Left who don't consider themselves D's any longer to unite as one large progressive party. I'd be shocked if that coalesced into anything. (I think the word 'progressive' is problematic.) Frankly, I'd love to see a Pirate Party, akin to the one in Iceland, but that's highly unlikely, as well. There is the whole Left Unity thing going on in England, but I think they're struggling to remain intact. Leftists are notorious for being anti-institutional, so it's hard to create a party for them.
I really think a movement that isn't based in a party, but rather in a form of grassroots organizing model of spokescouncils would be more effective in the long run. It allows for fluid movement amongst groups and coalescing around issues and agendas rather than a party affiliation. Spokescouncils can be very effective for local organizing, right off the bat. Once people get used to them and how to take individual action based on spokescouncil participation, we could see a rapidly changing political landscape. We'd just have to get over a learning curve. The more we can teach people how spokescouncils work - and how they can scale infinitely - and the more we can activate spaces where they are being regularly attended, the more we can build solid resistance to the stranglehold of the oligarchy.
Establishment Democracies
have an inbuilt safeguard against third parties as long as they are based on winner take all regions (constituencies)
The third party, even if it gets almost as many votes as the second party will end up with much less representation as it will come in second in the majority of regions but will win no delegates/representatives.
This is one of the reasons that establishments fight tooth and nail against proportional representation.
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
True proportional representation
I've never understood why in the 21st century - beyond the obvious entrenched power structure - we can't have a truly proportional representation. Lets say you have parties A, B, C, D, and Z running. The candidates for those parties in Washington get 200,014 votes for A, 187,912 for B, 78,722 for C, 56,219 for D and say 7,213 for Z. Now Z might be a bit below the threshold to get a rep from Washington but you could lump it with some other states and have those 4 parties each send a rep (rather than the current system of A sending say 6 reps, 5 for B, 2 for C and 1 for D with Z getting zero) each gets 1 rep...but those reps voices are counted as 200,014 votes for A, 187,912 for B etc.
It'd make it so only the smallest of parties don't get a voice - especially if multi-state vote pooling was allowed to reach the minimum threshold to get a single representative in the Parliament (such a system would obviously not be a 2 house system...). It makes so much more sense than these byzantium laws determining how many reps each party gets - and really it wouldn't make voting harder because a computer can do all the hard maths. could make for some weird optics though when 1/3 of the reps if they represented enough votes might be able to overrule the others.
And I've gone way off thread topic haven't I?
No such thing as off topic :)
Interesting options - some countries have a two round or more general election
simple example:
candidates come in 1st 2nd 3rd
3rd drops out
second round between 1st and 2nd so 3rd votes effectively get redistributed
downside - this benefits compromise candidates over principled ones
Another way is to scrap the regional system altogether and just have a list and so many seats to fill
e.g. 100 seat chamber
1million voters
each 10,000 votes gets you another representative off of the list
Downside (maybe) of course that then the vote really is for party not an individual
“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire
Pirate Party
Annuntio tibi gaudium magnum: that's not the case. US Pirate Party website
The Party is still in early nascent formational stages, but it does exist and is expanding.
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
I'm doing that (registering as Unaffiliated here in CT)
right after I vote for Bernie. I'm not waiting for the convention. I'm done with the party as it stands now. And I just sent the DSCC their Sase back without any donation and a semi-screed telling them I'm out, too much moolah and super-delegate shenanigans and that I won't be back. Our party is very corrupt. I"m out.
Don't believe everything you think.
I did just that -
the week after the Maine caucus i went back to my town office an registered as "unenrolled". Caucusing for Bernie was the last thing I did as a registered Dem. The party doesn't represent me anymore (I have been registered as a Dem since 1978), therefore I am done with them.
The clerk at the town office told me that 2 other people had been in to do the same thing. No idea if they were Dems, but it'd be interesting to know.
Think off-center.
George Carlin
I'm already planning to do that
Although in California it'll be "no party affiliation". And I've been a registered Dem since the early 1980s -- the only time I registered as a Republican was 1980 solely to vote against Ronnie Reagan in the primary. (Sorry it didn't help.)
ok, NCTim,
I love your Open Threads, they are so educative. Not that I understand what genre of music you post, is it funky music, or disco music, jeez I really have never been to a disco in my life for longer than a couple of minutes, how should I know disco music. I guess disco is the one you can dance to more easily, funky music messes up your limbs movements ... I get some nervous hyper reaction to funky ... but enough of that. Let's talk about media.
There is one thing I learned from my African in-laws. No media is more truthful and honest than the "radio-trottoir" spreading faster through the village folks than anything else. My mother-in-law, when shocked about the latest news through the radio-trottoir, had just one thing to say. Taking her hands with all her fingers closely aligned and wiping the whole hand over her closed mouth, while rolling her eyes and making a specific sound with her mouth which sounded like... phewsss...Then she usually lifted one of her shoulder a bit as to say... heh, tempi, I don't say a word.
Just when the news were revealing that one of members of her extended family and tribe was thrown in prison, she threw herself on the floor and shouted out in convulsions. I stood there watching and had no idea how to calm her down. I couldn't speak her dialect and she couldn't speak French. So, just that you know, radio-trottoir is serious business.
Radio-trottoir apparently has puzzled some people so much that some Africans felt compelled to "analyze" it, as this article might show:
"Radio-trottoir" in Central Africa I am too tired and didn't have my coffee yet to read it though.
Have a good day, all.
Good Morning
US AM radio is a fairly stinky cesspool too.
I am liberal with the definition of funk, but assert that TOP is funked up. Disco boy will probably be by later.
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 -
Heh...
Good Day Sir
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 -
Thanks, NCTim!
Now I know what to say when people keep asking what TOP stands for!
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APlwRR9IO_E]
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Friday nights, 10pm Pacific
KPFA has their weekly History of Funk show -- Mr. Scribe is a faithful listener.
Definitely worth a listen, either via terrestrial radio if you're ever in the Bay Area or courtesy of the Internets.
Thanks for the tip
I stole Funk Friday from WSHA, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC.
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 -
Good Morning, actually it's still night time here
I had insomnia. Today is the last day of class where we bring in our series of paintings. I dread it because there are 3 "mean girls" in the class. I suggested to the instructor last week that he stop the group crits and just discuss the paintings himself. My suggestion was that we present our work and take questions because it is not helpful when people just throw out comments. (especially "mean girls)." He seems to be taking my hint but will he be able to stop them?
My son who is a chef-in-training says when he makes a dish he wants the chef's opinion not comments from the rest of the class. It may sound snobbish but when you have someone yell out "your soup tastes like water!" How helpful is that?
So Tim, about the meta thing. I think the caucus cup runneth over, I can't keep up with the bonanza of writing here. Until there is a new president in the USA, I will stick with Evening Blues to narrow it down. I noticed in your other diary that Monsanto diatribes were welcome here. That struck a nerve, I was lambasted at TOP for daring to go against Monsanto. I suspect that the corporation has some people working for them on that blog.
Thanks for the diary, it's really nice.
To thine own self be true.
I was lambasted at TOP for daring to go against Monsanto.
Are you serious? [rhetorical ?]
I agree with your son, and with you regarding your art. It's like, "If I wanted your opinion, I'd have taken the class from you." Courage, M.
Oh, by the way, we don't baste lambs here. Say whatever you like, whenever you like. C99p is a no-basting zone.
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KOS loves him some GMO's topped with Roundup...
Aspartame, GMO's, Roundup, DDT, PCBs, Agent Orange, and recombinant bovine somatotropin -what's there not love about this company? - and Donald Rumsfeld gets the profits! Seems like a good democrat value for Kossacks to push.
Peace
FN
"Democracy is technique and the ability of power not to be understood as oppressor. Capitalism is the boss and democracy is its spokesperson." Peace - FN
I just want a LOT more study
on GMOs and their effects on non-genetically modified organisms before fully supporting or opposing them. The jury is just way too out for me right now.
There's been a lot of study in Europe
and not just study but bannings. I haven't kept current on which have enacted bans, but it's been several so far.
Aside from the scientific issues of gene splicing insecticides into food plants, there are the monopolistic practices of Monsanto, and probably Cargill, and ADM (Archer, Daniels, Midland).
Monsanto (M) has been especially aggressive in protecting their patented seeds to the point of suing farmers who have had their crops accidentally pollinated by wind-born pollen from Monsanto crops adjacent the fields of non-Monsanto crops.
There's another aspect of M's business plan and it's that farmers who buy M's seed buy seed for that season and planting. It is illegal to replant seed from offspring. This odious practice means farmers have to buy seed from M year after year, and cannot replant for fear of litigation.
Google "BT corn" for tons of links to the subject in detail.
It's much more complicated than this but this does scratch the surface.
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Vote Smart - Just the Facts - 40,000 politicians by name or zipcode
Agreed. So much noise from GMO seed producers!
The act of trying to pass legislation to PREVENT food producers from labeling food as "GMO Free" is really a free speech debate in my eyes... Progress is slow but the tide is turning on GMO and it's really unfortunate that Europe and other countries have to provide the lead on this effort. The lack of legislation in the U.S. demonstrates exactly what Bernie has been telling us - too much BIG money involved in creating profits, damn the health aspect for us all. GMO stuffed food products at this point are mostly to be found in lower cost products, therefore those who are at risk the most are those who have a tough time just getting the required calories per day let alone worry about GMO's - again the most vulnerable in society have to suffer health consequences that they are unable to pay for when the chickens come home to roost.
Peace
FN
"Democracy is technique and the ability of power not to be understood as oppressor. Capitalism is the boss and democracy is its spokesperson." Peace - FN
If people can actually act like adults
and offer constructive criticism, group crits can be very effective -- if your work is to reach a wide audience, it helps to get input from multiple folks. In writing (my art genre) certain best practices apply regardless of the actual writing genre -- character development, non-wooden dialogue, plot development etc. are all important whether you're writing romance or science fiction, and getting your facts straight applies to both a non-fiction work or a current political thriller. Still have some of my erotica and fanfic floating around online somewhere...
I basically do the same, stick to
morning OT and the Evening Blues and scan the rest of the diary titles. I try to read gjohnsit's too, but usually am not able to draw conclusions out of his diaries which deal with economic issues most of the time.
I am thinking to get rid of my internet access into my home. I don't have a smart phone, so I never read any internet stuff or email over my phone. That would force me to go to the library or to our community cafe, which have both free wifi internet connections for the village folks.
May be that would help me to focus again and read books. Blog and news reading is the worst enemy to book reading for me. And one of the positive experiences from dailykos writers and writers here are the many book links I gathered and wanted to read one day.
If my mind is calm enough to do that. I am looking for quieter pastures. But I love the Morning Open Threads and the Evening Blues. Really a nice get together to chat about "the news".
I agree with you Mimi.
Blog and news reading cut into my book reading time as well. Perhaps we could start a book club here? We could have a twofer.
Get a Kindle Mimi
Save a tree and buy a Kindle. I love reading on a Kindle.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
I read a lot of fiction
and have a hard time reading books on any device that scrolls. I can read articles and news online but for some reason with novels, fiction or even lengthy non fiction my brain does not take in the information the same way as reading from a book. I save trees by using our excellent county library system. I have a My MLC (Multnomah County Library) account and can order and place holds on books or DVD's from their extensive countywide catalog. They are sent to my small local branch for me to pick up.
No pushing Kindles but...
I have trouble with "scroll reading" that's why my comments on any thread are usually hours late, but Kindles are different, you "turn" pages. AND you can borrow Kindle library books too. I love my Kindles.
I understand you regarding your preference, though. I like to listen to audiobooks while knitting but it has to be non-fiction, whenever I have tried novels my mind just wanders or like you put it, my brain does not take in the words.
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur.
For me, a Kindle owner, you can't beat real books
because, you can flip back to previous pages so easily. You can use a bookmark and not have a device tell you how much percent is left in a chapter. You can check the illustrations often missing on Kindle. A hard-cover book from the Library - it's the best. Kindle is good for emergencies and for travel, imagine taking the complete works of Shakespeare etc. in a suitcase.
To thine own self be true.
When I upgraded my smartphone
last year, they had a deal to get an Android tablet for only 99 cents. Best buck I've ever spent. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it's a good size (about 8 inches in height, similar to a standard trade paperback) and it's great for reading; I have both the Kindle and NOOK (Barnes and Noble) apps installed so if there's a book I want that's not available on one site I can usually find it on the other, and I can price compare and pick up the one that's less expensive. I'd still like to get an iPad mini someday solely so I could add Apple's iBooks into the comparison process, but the Android's doing the job for now.
I can't read a long article or book on a kindle
I know how they tried to make the device to have its features as close as possible to the book reading experience, but it doesn't work for most people.
And besides I have such revenge urge to get even with those big tech companies who force upon us their devices for every thing we do in life, that I want to boycott the kindle as well.
Next thing I will try to get rid of a mobile phone. Get my landline back and an old-fashioned tape based voice recorder like in the old days. If I see how the little guys, the average workers are commandeered via text and mobile phone calls 24/7, I get in combat mode.
Have you seen Michael Moore's film "Where to invade next"? He has a passage in there where he describes a law in Germany (I didn't know about that one) that it is not allowed for an employer to bother an employee outside his regular working hours with calls and text via mobile phone that are work related. If an employer wants his workers to be available via mobile phone, they should give their workers those phones and pay the bills for those as well.
Nope, no tablet for me for book reading, Sorry. I save trees by planting new ones and save on other paper-based items. The library often doesn't have the books I want to read, so I buy used books on Amazon.com.
Just wanted to share this
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass
TGIF Tim! Thanks for this thread...
RE: The Dumbing Down of America
This has actually been going on since the late 1800s. And it was DESIGNED to do so...
The Educational System Was Designed to Keep Us Uneducated and Docile
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First Nations News
Thanks MPS, that's my countrymen
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 -
That formula or maybe it's a natural law.....
has been going down throughout recorded human history. You want slaves/serfs/peasants? Start out by making them ignorant and illiterate. And by gawd, keep them away from books!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Bernie's invited to the Vatican.
Bernie's been invited to a Vatican conference on 4/15.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/08/politics/bernie-sanders-vatican-city-trip/
Extremely important sentence here:
Did HRC's invite get lost in the email? Never mind, it does say "leaders."
Thank you so much for the link!
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass
World Leaders!
Very cool.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Interesting, Leu
More from the Washington Post.
Says he will leave for Rome immediately after the debate on the 14th.
Poor Hillary. She didn't get invited.
Hillary's speech for Pope.
I suppose he'll get
a bunch of media attention on this, so it may compensate a bit for his being away from the NY campaign trail.
/snark unfortunately
Funkin' A
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 -
NYT confirming that Sanders will meet with Pope Francis...
Good Morning Tim and 99%'ers
TOP=Tower of Power. Nice!!!
The horde of cyclists descend on little old Brevard today for tomorrow's Assault on the Carolinas. This is a beautiful ride (actually three distances - 100K, 60K, & 40K) through the gorgeous hills and valleys around Brevard with the 100K dipping down into South Carolina. Then the 100K does a steep six plus mile climb up to Caesar's Head before finishing here in Brevard.
This is not a race, but just a beautiful springtime ride that attracts cyclists from all over the US and Canada. For several years the Canadians had over 100 cyclists in attendance. They close entries on the day they hit 1,000 and every year it closes out earlier and earlier. This year the entries closed out four months in advance!
Five of my husband's friends are coming up from Florida to ride this event and staying with us. I am doing a big dinner for them and some local friends tonight. The weather for this ride has always been gorgeous the last six years that my husband has ridden this event. But this year it is supposed to be in the upper 20's at the start with winds gusting up to 25 mph!
And my husband and three of his buddies were planning on riding the 100K. The 100K and the 60K follow the same route at the beginning so they can bail out if the conditions are too bad and just stay with the 60K. I won't be surprised if that happens.
In my house, the scissors are in the same drawer as the cooking utensils, except my sewing scissors. And no one, NO ONE, better not touch my sewing scissors.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Yea! for bike riders!
I'll continue the saga I started pretty soon. Promise.
Sewing scissors... Got the 8" left-handed heavy scissors, got the tiny trimming scissors, the stitch puller spiky thingie, and the pinking shears all neatly stored in the you-touch-you-die box.
Biggest sewing project was a sail measuring 31'x18-6"' - weighed 35# when finished. Had to build an 8'x20' table to sew in on.
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Vote Smart - Just the Facts - 40,000 politicians by name or zipcode
Bows down to AB!
I have a male friend who made all the draperies in his house. He bought a pin pong table to lay them out. They turned out beautiful.
I was in awe.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
To me it's just part of "building stuff", GG
If I want to do something I haven't done before, I start reading. Once I've absorbed the concept, I put together a materials list. I was lucky enough to have my Mom-i-l's Viking/Husquevarna machine. Not a monster but robust. Then I'll layout the pattern, begin cutting, assemble all the parts, and it's off to the races. It took 3 8oz. spools of thread, and 5 rolls of dbl-adhesive basting tape.
Need a haircut? Still have that book too, lol.
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Vote Smart - Just the Facts - 40,000 politicians by name or zipcode
Sewing is the same
as building. In fact, sewing a garment is called constructing a garment. Husquevarna? Wow! I always wanted one of those or a Viking. I do not sew as much any more because I do not need clothing for work. I used to make all my own work clothes. Still, I would never be without my sewing machine for repairs, alterations, or making stuff for around the house.
AB, you are not the only one who cuts hair. I cut my husband's and my own. Don't ask how I do that, though.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
My partner is a hair stylist
so she cuts mine. I don't use her scissors!
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
I cannot sew....I've tried.
I am way too much of a perfectionist in all of the wrong places. Frustrates the hell out of me.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
You have to have the funk
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 -
Tim,
You are awesome. You have a tune for every possible situation.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
"You touch you die box"
That's funny. I will have to give my mother-in-law that phrase. She would love it.
You touch, you die
That would be the the rolling tool box in the garage. There is nothing quite so satisfying as finding your tools in the driveway. Luckily kids do learn.
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 -
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