Openly Eccentric - Open Thread 5/22/2016

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Been a strange week for me here in Portland. We had some incredibly heavy rain and nice sun. Course one of the great bugbears for me with regards to my psychological health is going out at night. When I first got here I tried a few times, but always had a very specific destination in time, and returning was direct, in a car I was driving. Riding the bus at night, or relying on a cab SUUUUCKS for my calm.

So of course my kids both had recitals this week. My daughter in the choir, my son in a play. Both of them started at 7. (And the Choir was scheduled till 9. On a SCHOOL night. Am I just crazy or do kids need a full nights sleep? Getting them home via bus would have meant being up till 11!) So, cab it was and they ripped me off because the choir ran late, then took the long route when I wasn't paying attention, ending up doubling the cost... Sigh. But that's neither here nor there.

I am normally a huge fan of public transportation, but there's just something about traveling at night that still freaks me out. (Maybe it was because almost all our patrols/presence missions were at night. Ya never know exactly what it is that will set you off.) Course my family has always told me that "EVERYBODY" feels nervous at night... Thus negating my feelings, and essentially suggesting that I'm overreacting. (Ok, sorry to go on a personal rant. It's tough breaking up with your family, and I have a lot of sympathy for the DKOS folks who just want to rant.)

But Overall, a good week, and I wish my own personal psychosis didn't color things.

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You can't help but look a South America to see the future of our country. Yet another country goes up in riots, and the government cracks down. Course, I see these things, and I know that agent provocateurs are part and parcel of this crap. It's only a matter of how much after the fact we're going to hear about it.

Another thing about the planet. When it decides to knock your civilization a peg, it doesn't just rely on the weather. Black Bears are now scavenging the abandoned Fort McMurray. It's a stark reminder how much maintenance our fragile existence depends on. Kinda makes you think about all that abandoned infrastructure in this country, eh?

Oh, and we are officially at war with Syria. Sorry, but the top brass don't go on training missions. When they show up, it's a full fledged war. The bullshit number of 200 trainers is about as likely as any other number given out by the Army.

Finally, some funny news. Apparently Australia considers standard American Real Estate Practice to be "Dodgy". Be nice if we could go after a few of our banks pulling this kind of crap, but unfortunately they paid off the politicians who make the call there...

And for some music... I feel a little more mellow today, so hope you guys don't mind a couple songs I used to use in order to make it through the day on horrible days.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQsqMndoM9E][video:https://www.youtube.c...

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riverlover's picture

Cataract replacement lenses helped, but it's dark, too fast for 60-70 mph. I hated those school events. What was the idea except more parental mandated attendance? I for one dislike mandates.

Got to experience sitting in the Back Seat of my car, with a queasy dog in lap. Black pants. Driving through farmland, hills, dales, tight curves. Back seat position bad. Thinking of land minus humans. Dead cows and horses in fenced pasture? Roofs collapsing, doors banging in any breeze? Fires burning.

A nearby farm, it was discovered had fields with 123 dead llamas lying about. Caretaking family had an internal meltdown. No one found a way to help those immigrants. Makes several bad thoughts come to mind.

Edit: typo in title. Not.good.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

detroitmechworks's picture

VERY fun for him and important.

My daughters... well, I was fine with it, until they decided to make it mandatory for the middle schoolers to stay for the High Schooler's performance. (And that was just painful to watch honestly.)

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

mimi's picture

that show up in your comments or essays help me a lot. I hear a lot of my son in you and learn a lot from him and you. I think we all have to talk as long as it takes til we have said everything there is to say. It's kind of a relief to know that there is a point where everything had been said and from there one can go on with something ... else.

Have a good Sunday. We got rain of a kind I imagine you have a lot in Portland.

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detroitmechworks's picture

with my own folks. They're good people, just not good for me.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

This morning "that woman" is going after
Trump with some full-throated anti-NRA,
pro-gun control rantings.

Just how the hell are we supposed to
defend ourselves from "terrorists"
without weapons?

/only somewhat snark

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Only connect. - E.M. Forster

riverlover's picture

I work at that every day.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

just pissed at Clinton's latest foolishness and NPR for giving her an unquestioning platform for mouthing it.

I've got far more immediate things to worry about than either terrorists or neighbors who actually hunt the deer over-population in my area (and whole state) for their dinner tables. That said, I personally have never liked venison.

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Only connect. - E.M. Forster

riverlover's picture

I allow a few knowns to hunt in season. Missing wildflowers and new trees. And venison is OK/meh. Not a go-to. The knowns have kept trespassers off. I ain't intervening. That is a fear. Agree.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

...that she thinks gun control is an issue the country is going to rally around and that it will somehow 'gain' her votes.

Running on gun control is one more issue that causes me to look the other way when it comes to Clinton.

She can't be trusted.

She lacks any genuine authenticity and is a trusted liar (you can trust she's going to be lying at some point if her lips have been moving and sound has come out of her mouth).

The deception and corruption she's incorporated into her identity willingly over the years is not something she can walk away from, or 'make a promise' and have those perceptions simply go away because she wants it to be so.

Gun Control is just one more reason not to vote for her.

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GreyWolf's picture

She's trying to lure more Repub's ...

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Thing is. I recall a little while ago now, when Sanders asked Republicans for their votes and the Shillary camp lost their shit and made a big deal over it.

So it's bad when Sanders ask everyone to vote for him, but it's fine when she goes after monied donors in the other camp.

Another reason not to trust her. Her double dealing antics are just another nail in the coffin. I will not vote for her.

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enhydra lutris's picture

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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 --

riverlover's picture

if she wants the non-urban vote. But she is not wise.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

Let her. That might play in deep blue, urban states. But it doesn't play in western PA, it doesn't play in michigan, in Ohio, in Iowa, in Wisconsin.

I remember driving thru middle & northern Wisconsin in 2000 & seeing the signs that 'Al Gore is going to take our guns away'. Way to lose swing states, Hillary (and maybe some light blue states.).

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Shillary supporters push forward with their extreme views on being anti second amendment (the coming for the guns crowd who 'no longer care' because they have to pretend that gun deaths are 'the worst' problem we have.

There were more than a few of those severe anti second amendment types coming out of the woodwork over at 'top'.

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detroitmechworks's picture

I admit to being an anti-second Amendment type.

Mainly because I believe in restrictions on ALL guns, including those in use by the Military and Police as well.

However, Still doesn't mean I'll vote for Hillary because of it. She's lying, and any restrictions she put into place would affect the poor and minorities more than the people who actually need to have their guns taken away.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

I don't think voters in states like Washington care one way or the other what her stance is on guns at this point in time. They just want money out of politics now. She can't win without base states like Oregon and Minnesota. A lot of Californians are fed up too and they will be voting in November because cannabis legalization will be on the ballot.

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Beware the bullshit factories.

detroitmechworks's picture

But it's not something that will win my vote, even with my attitude.

Reason: She's Lying. Columbine happened on her watch, and we had this discussion 2 decades ago.

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Gerrit's picture

And any night movement will be tough on us for good reason. Those civvies who have been attacked at night will relate to the higher anxiety a combat vet faces in night movement. And my goodness, cabs and public transport will make it much, much worse. And who the hell organizes events for kids that late on a school night? Imbeciles.

Have a great day, my friend,

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Resilience: practical action to improve things we can control.
3D+: developing language for postmodern spirituality.

detroitmechworks's picture

I'm just glad it's only once every three months or so. My kids new schools are closer, so hopefully it'll be much easier to get home after these kind of events next year.

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stevej's picture

this week was a better one for you DMW - fingers crossed and hoping that the upward trend continues.

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“To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.” -Voltaire

detroitmechworks's picture

It was a GOOD week, but my depression keeps wanting to make it a bad one.

Gotta remember to look at the weeks objectively.

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OLinda's picture

Stephanopoulos. Has not come on here yet.

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detroitmechworks's picture

The idea that we can only vote for it is like asking if we want to beat the kitten to death or shoot it.

Any rational human knows that the person asking that of us is an evil psychopath who shouldn't be in charge of kittens.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Check out this far from rosy assessment, brought to my attention by the folks at emptywheel:

https://storify.com/AnthonyBriggs/catastrophic-climate-change

Too many people are holding on to the notion that we have plenty of time to deal wih remediation so as to keep global warning at manageable levels. I think not. This is, or should be, a first tier priority, not something to keep pushing to the back burner while we play patty-cake with big business to protect their profits.

What do you all think?

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“ …and when we destroy nature, we diminish our capacity to sense the divine,and understand who God is, and what our own potential is and duties are as human beings.- RFK jr. 8/26/2024

detroitmechworks's picture

away from "Cheap and instant" to "Anything worth doing or having takes time and effort".

Once we get the right societal mentality, a lot of the problems will be easier to solve, IMHO.

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OLinda's picture

gets it. He just said on This Week that voters for Trump and Clinton are not voting for Trump or Clinton. They are voting against the other person.

He also said 1/4 of the people are for Trump, 1/4 are for Clinton, and the other half of the country wants another choice.

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detroitmechworks's picture

But the PTB have decided that our voices don't count.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

OLinda's picture

and everyone. Thank you for the Open Thread, detroitmechworks.

The morning is starting out beautiful. Going to be sunny and warm here. Just watered the lawn and will be going back out to water some newly planted flowers. Eight new perennials. Hope they do well. Two have been in the ground for 6 days, and 6 for only two days. So far so good.

There was a gorgeous full moon last night. A Moonstruck moon.

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detroitmechworks's picture

Responsibilities are one of the few things that keeps me sane, so doing the Sunday Morning thread is therapeutic.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

enhydra lutris's picture

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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 --

detroitmechworks's picture

We're in a war, and yet the MSM is completely ignoring it. You have to read between the lines to see it.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

though I'd quibble with your phrasing above that we're at war with Syria; for sure we're at war in Syria, possibly on more than one side.

how about this for something I didn't see in the MSM (h/t Oui at bootrib)
In Syria, militias armed by the Pentagon fight those armed by the CIA

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Shahryar's picture

Shaz and I have been splitting it but we've gotten busier than ever with work. I don't want to give it up altogether, just take a break. And besides, we could still post what we want, when we can.

Give a shout if you're interested. Now that we've got lots of people here, many who write great stuff, it'd be neat-o to share the spot.

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hecate's picture

But what about the shaz art? And the shah music?

I am having a sad. ; (

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shaharazade's picture

I have been missing in action as I'm gardening like a maniac. He's busy so I will take over writing it for the unforeseeable future. I have a series I'm working on as I dig, weed, haul and plant. So sorry folks no OT opening as I'm not done inflicting my ranting and artifying on Thursdays.

Shah just told me about this comment while I was scraping and washing mud, grease and god knows what off my mud room, kitchen. The back 40 will be done by Tuesday, ah maybe Wednesday. I will write #3 in my peoples art and some damn fine art, series. You'll love it. If not well hell it at the least it's a diversion from the mad election. Kind of. See you all Thursday once again dear friends.

As JtC once said to me...

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OLinda's picture

Yes, it is weird, Glenn!

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

was a gratifying week for you, watching your children perform and achieve!

Here's a Tweet that I thought I'd share, even though it's mostly common sense, and many of the 'tips' are probably already practiced by folks here.

Mollie


In Tribute: 'Barabas The Brave'

Screenshot Of 'Barabas' -- Dual Photo From WP With Caption.png

Please Visit Us At Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD)

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

MarilynW's picture

by (wife beater) Norman Mailer said, after composing himself:

Once again Norman, you find yourself at a loss for words.

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To thine own self be true.

shaharazade's picture

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mimi's picture

Blowing the Whistle: Former US Official Reveals Risks Faced by Internal Critics
From page2:

What Drake didn't know at the time was that his case would turn a man of the system inside the Defense Department into its critic. John Crane felt affirmed in his desire to further investigate the fears of reprisal felt by potential NSA whistleblowers. He also had a disturbing suspicion.
....
Crane's suspicions continued to grow, especially after important documents pertaining to the Drake case disappeared from the inspector general's office. Drake's lawyer Jesselyn Raddack asked the court to demand the documents, saying they would prove that Drake was only in possession of the NSA documents on his private computer because he wanted to provide them to the inspector general. This would have granted Drake source protection and prevented him from prosecution.
....
But the files could allegedly no longer be found in the Office of the Inspector General -- it was claimed that they had been shredded. Staff had accidently "fucked up,"
...
Crane didn't believe a word of it. He was convinced that that files had been deliberately destroyed. "Lying to a judge during criminal proceedings is a punishable offense," he says.

Crane decided against being a "team player." He stopped toeing the line, he countered and complained. He also sent the message that he would not keep silent. As had been the case with Drake, this would result in painful personal consequences for Crane. In 2013, the then-inspector general ordered him into her office and slid his termination papers across the table. In front of the office, a security guard stripped him of his ID card.
....
Nazi-Era Inspiration

Why did Crane rebel after a quarter-century as a loyal civil servant? Why did he risk his career, his reputation as an irreproachable civil servant, his friendships and his pension?
...
"I had to do the right thing," Crane says. "Just like my German grandfather did."
...
Moral Resonsibility'

"I learned from my grandfather that there is a moral responsibility to act when the government is violating the law," he says. Crane is so proper that it's almost painful and imbued by a high sense of morals. "In my mind, the work of a whistleblower is not a job, it's a calling," he says
...
Crane "became a whistleblower to bear witness to the fact that the whistleblowing system doesn't work," says Thomas Drake. "He took the fall for me." Drake and Crane only met personally after they had both lost their posts. Both share the hope that a moment will come when they are vindicated. Drake says he would like to get his pension rights back. For the time being, he scrapes by working as a sales clerk at an Apple Store.
...
n the past, Edward Snowden has cited Drake's fate as the reason he chose not to put his trust in the authorities and to go public with his leaks instead. Drake trusted the system and "did absolutely everything right," Snowden said. "Rather than protecting him against retaliation from some low-level manager or whatever, they actively retaliated against him."

Crane says he thinks it's "sad that someone has to go into exile because he has the feeling that he cannot use the different channels that are available to him. Someone like Snowden shouldn't have felt the need to have to harm themselves just to do the right thing."

Well, for me it was a good read. There is a lot in it, shows how complex and difficult it is (including the rest of the story of Crane's grandfather). That's what I like, if you can bring a story together in all its shades and complexities. If you are interested it's worth to read the whole piece.

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mimi's picture

based on the story yesterday in Der Spiegel. Please pay attention to it.

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