Saturday Open Thread - 9/28/24: Odds and Ends

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:14am

Lots of craziness around the world right now, wouldn't y'all agree?

Still, we have good music, good friends, art, literature, and landscapes to keep us appreciating our lives. While I didn't mention good family specifically, I have few blood related family members, so in my mind, my friends are my version of "family".

I suggest we keep in constant touch with our families, keep each of them informed, prepared, and give them some sense of security when our economy goes down the commode with a quick flush.

So, this lawyer friend called me early Friday morning to gossip. She was to evict a squatter. She had been appointed by a court to get a home sold to have the proceeds divided among heirs.

The squatter showed up to represent himself. He was a double amputee. Sympathetic, shaping up to be a touchy case that should have been routine.

She requested he present his case first. She countered with documents, facts, statutes. The squatter said, "Looks like I don't have a legal leg to stand on."

After staring a hole in the carpet, she said, "Judge, I was ordered to do this and failure to do so is contempt of court, and I could be jailed. What would my little girls do without their Mommie?

She won, the squatter was given 3 days to leave before the cops came to "help" him.

Maybe we should get pickier about extending sympathy.

What's new and exciting in your world? We all want to know.

Let 'er rip!

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Submitted by Pluto's Republic on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:24am
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.

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What affects do you suppose this insanity will have on American lives?

Be sure to plan accordingly.

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IMAGINE if you woke up the day after a US Presidential Election and headlines around the the world blared, "The Majority of Americans Refused to Vote in US Presidential Election! What Does this Mean?"
Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:03am

@Pluto's Republic I am headed to the grocery store to shop for various meals we will have during our stay at the beach condo. When I return, I will watch the video and learn something, make a comment.
Thanks for sharing, chica!

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

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:17am
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@Pluto's Republic -- when US military might is exhausted.

As for their current plans, the neocons' past plans relied upon the use of fully-operational production facilities which didn't exist and which don't exist now.

But hey, let's not build an alternative party here in the US, because Trump Derangement Syndrome or something.

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“The Democrats and Republicans want you to believe they are mortal enemies engaged in a desperate struggle when all the time, they are partners with a power-sharing agreement.” - Richard Moser

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:57am

@Cassiodorus platform of any party that looked promising. I like Stein, really like her vp, but I am no fan of some of their policies.
We need rank choice voting, no party affiliation, and the reason we can't have anything other than the current system is money. AOC has made it to the $19 million mark in such a short time. Being a barista is excellent training for getting elected and getting rich without making a gd difference in any meaningful way.

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

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 11:12am
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@on the cusp We can either:

a) wait until the current system approves ranked-choice voting (it's actually not my first choice: STAR voting would be better), or

b) start that alternative party now.

In my forthcoming book I will be proposing the Looking for a Way Out party. That would be its actual name.

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“The Democrats and Republicans want you to believe they are mortal enemies engaged in a desperate struggle when all the time, they are partners with a power-sharing agreement.” - Richard Moser

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 12:43pm

@Cassiodorus getting published.
At this time Harris never got a vote. Neither did Jill.
Elections are like watching a game show.
Thanks for the comment, friend.

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

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 4:00pm

@Pluto's Republic
I knew things were getting crazy, but not at the pace and level that has occurred.
I wonder how difficult it is to travel to China now?
Years ago, I represented a man in a DWI (a/k/a DUI)case that I managed to get dismissed very easily. (DWI on public highways only. Doesn't apply to private subdivision roads, dumb ass cop!) The man's background was tech guy at Texas Instruments. He had ideas, and a rich old man gave him a loan for a start up company. Off the company went, closely linked to China. He spent almost as much time in China as Houston. He blessed me with a tip. He paid for my trip visa, assigned one of his staff to do the work to get it. I believe my trip to China lasted 21 to 23 glorious days there.
It is very disturbing that the ability to know Chinese language, culture, and history is reducing China to a mythical murderous country as described by our government, and that is all we are allowed to know henceforth. It will make it much easier to support eradicating China, won't it?

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

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:11pm
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@on the cusp

I'm still stuck at HSK 2 or 3 level. But the ability to understand spoken Mandarin is simply impossible for me because my hearing isn't that good. I can read the most basic things. If I'm watching a video in Mandarin, I have to stop it at every subtitle to read the Mandarin. If its something other than the most basic expressions, I have to use a dictionary. Sometimes I like to watch to see English translated into Chinese. Too bad I can't cut and paste the Chinese subs into Google translate. Here's Jeffrey Sachs yesterday-

Wonder if he'll be accused of being a "foreign agent?"

A further complication, is the transition from traditional to simplified. Sometimes I don't recognize the meaning right away, but if I see the pinyin, I recognize the same or similar Korean word. Anyway it's fun to try. Mandarin blueprint is one of the best free channels on youtube, and then Yimin Chinese. If I get burnt out on the news I try to learn some Chinese. Or watch Dr. Gao talk about Chinese literature and culture. I was never good at languages it requires a lot of concentration. After thirty minutes or so I'm done for the day.

21 days! That's a great visit OTC.

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語必忠信 行必正直

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 10:00pm

@soryang as was Russia, and several other countries, such as Columbia.
The trip was to Shanghai. Then to Xian. Then down the Yangtze on a river boat, seeing the Three Gorges, then to Beijing. I learned "ni hao" (hello), and that was it. The Chinese called me "Mama" everywhere I went. An interesting day trip was to see a canal either created by or described by Marco Polo. Pronounced something like Zudo, maybe? I have followed his journey from beginning to end. I have been to places he gave his camels a rest in the desert in the Middle East. I rode in a boat on that canal, just as he did. Me and Marco. Bff.
As for Mandarin, no way I could learn it. I am old, google can translate. '
Thanks for stopping by and adding interesting things to the converstaion, friend.
It is easy to get burnt out on the tv news, which I haven't watched in over 20 years, unless I am sitting in a dr's or dentist's office!
Have a wonderful evening, and so glad you weathered the dangerous storm, my friend.

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

Submitted by soryang on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 10:44pm
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@on the cusp 谢谢 Yes, with the new translation aps, one probably doesn't need it. At my age, it probably doesn't make much sense either. If I'm reading some analysis of Chinese affairs culture or whatever, I still like to see the key concept expressed in Mandarin if only in parentheses.

I'm hoping there won't hurricane round two in the next week or so. This one caused so much damage, it's hard to believe.

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語必忠信 行必正直

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 11:09pm

@soryang @soryang the possibility of 2 more hurricanes forming. Dammit.
Just protect your home, expect power outages and save your food, and don't hesitate to evacuate, which should be a new meme. I gave up on trying to pronounce "thank you", settled for head nods, hand shakes, hugs, etc...

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

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:41am
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.
Have your friendly local seamstress
sew together a well padded skull cap
(with an optional layer of foil) and get
some seriously filtered stun glasses
then just lay-in a good stash of drugs
and alcohol. May not help much, but
won't feel too much either Wink

Thanks for the OT and enjoy your escape!

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Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:11am

@QMS I am a seamstress. I just needed the right idea to get my machine out of the closet, and you gave it to me, dear friend!Headlines this morning say the IDF killed Nasrullah, the leader of Hezbollah.
Now what, I'm thinking....
Have a great weekend, and smooth sailing!

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

Submitted by Socialprogressive on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:26am
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@on the cusp @on the cusp
Hezbollah says they missed. I'm putting my money on Hezbollah.

Edit. Seems I spoke to soon.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4904897-israel-hezbollah-beirut-strik...

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I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:46am

@Socialprogressive I need to check out Moon of Alabama and see if Ritter has anything to say about this.
We do not have a full Army, Navy, or air force. Recruitment is down. Stockpiles are low. Manufacturing is almost non-existent. Our planes don't fly, our missiles are old tech, ships are old and unreliable. Russia and China and Iran have all modernized their military. We go around like it is the 40s.
We will be lucky is our hegemony ends by and through a Wall Street crash. We may go hungry for a time, but will be alive, and will not have a conquering military within our shores. I would rather come out as a poor American than a permanent pow in my own home.

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

Submitted by dystopian on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 11:09am
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@on the cusp Hi OtC,

Jonathan Cook tweeted about it:

https://x.com/Jonathan_K_Cook/status/1840005616435077334?s=19

Have a great one at the beach! Wiggle yer toes in the sand for me! Wink

happy trails all!

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We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
both - Albert Einstein

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 2:14pm

@dystopian all we can do, given the beach is under double red flag warning.
Still, feet splashing and adding to the sea shell collection can and will take place! The normally blue water is brown until it is was off shore, but if the winds will calm and the sun reaches the right place, it might turn blue again.
My government is proud of the murders accomplished by our mighty bunker busters dropped by our mighty ally yesterday. There are no conventional warfare engagements in effect for us, just the "bad guys" we call terrorists.
The shit show will come home, methinks.
Go spot a bird, friend!

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 12:19pm
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you can, dunno if that can really be fun. Also enjoy the beach + vacation.

Nuthin' much going on here, but it's cool enough to work outside, so off I go.

be well and have a good one

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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 --

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 1:04pm

@enhydra lutris a fun shopping trip. They had some really great prepared meats in the deli. We have at least 8 lunches and dinners planned and stocked. I asked an employee if the store name was Rouse's pronounced like house. Yes, correct. I said I was from Texas where we pronounce everything wrong. I told her is she gets to Mahair, Texas, it is spelled MEXIA.
She said that was good to know.
The beach is under a red flag, but that hasn't stopped parents from letting their toddlers wade in neck deep. Good damn grief.
I hope you have a fun weekend planned, dear friend.

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

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 2:03pm
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@on the cusp

I hope you have a fun weekend planned, dear friend.

Play one game of contract rummy with wife, prune apricot, prune grapes, work on new bird feeder, pack for October trip, work on one or more OTs.

be well an have a good one

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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 --

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 2:38pm

@enhydra lutris @enhydra lutris The only edible I ever grew was a blackberry, and the briar patch was a bird poop gift to me at a fence line, easy to mow around. All the rest were very labor intense. Just think of the taste bud rewards!
And the bird will express their greatfulness.

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

Submitted by Enchantress on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 3:30pm

Hope you are having fun at the beach, even though you can't get in the water. I wish that I could join you.

They have the same problem here with people swimming during double red flags. They've started fining people $500, especially if you give them a hard time and go in continuously after being told not to. People insist that since they've paid for a beach vacation that they should be able to go to the beach, no matter what the conditions. I know it sounds bad, but I say, "let them drown." There is no way I would want to go in that water with those conditions.

Have fun and I hope it clears up so that you can swim.

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Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 4:51pm

equals.

I don't think that is the case today.

The rest of the tweet:

When will our government wake up to the horrors they have normalised? When will they call out this reckless aggression? Or do Arab lives not matter?

We need a full arms embargo to Israel and economic sanctions, now. Our common humanity demands nothing less.

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Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 5:24pm

@humphrey go abruptly into free fall by his political enemies labeling him antisemitic. He clawed his way back a bit. He wasn't completely disappeared.
Bernie would never let that happen to himself. It would require a sense of honor and bravery Bernie does not, nor has he ever, possessed. Maybe he doesn't believe in Hell.
Thanks for the X post facto, friend.
The news is so bad, it may drive me to hunt for funny dog videos.

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

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 5:03pm

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Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 5:24pm

@humphrey catch! You are on a roll!

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

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:34pm

in self defense. snort

As a result.

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Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:59pm

@humphrey @humphrey owned (stolen) by the US, because blah blah, gibberish, something...
We are entitled to (steal) that oil because blah blah, gibberish, something...
Our troops better be ready to fight and die for the theft, because blah blah, gibberish, something...

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

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 8:53pm

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Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 09/28/2024 - 9:38pm

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