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The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: April 12, 2021, 11:19:11 AM »
I just witnessed them breaking into stores along my street.
3
The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: April 12, 2021, 11:18:27 AM »
I haven't posted in a while, but Minnesota police killed another black kid, Daunte Wright, basically because he had air fresheners on his rearview mirror. So now we are in another round of mass looting by opportunist thugs.
5
Consequences / Re: Places becoming less livable
« on: February 24, 2021, 05:43:17 PM »
New evidence shows fertile soil gone from Midwestern farms
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/02/24/npr-new-evidence-shows-fertile-soil-gone-from-midwestern-farms
Quote
a third of all cropland in that region had lost its topsoil
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/02/24/npr-new-evidence-shows-fertile-soil-gone-from-midwestern-farms
6
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: February 15, 2021, 09:34:33 AM »
Some interesting perspectives on the origins of the modern religious right, here, I think:
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133/
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133/
7
The politics / Re: The Trump Presidency
« on: January 29, 2021, 10:21:23 PM »
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/29/trump-russia-asset-claims-former-kgb-spy-new-book
‘The perfect target’:
Russia cultivated Trump as asset for 40 years – ex-KGB spy
‘The perfect target’:
Russia cultivated Trump as asset for 40 years – ex-KGB spy
9
The rest / Re: Good music
« on: January 29, 2021, 05:54:45 AM »
And this pretty much sums up the rest of my misspent youth--all local musicians that I grew up listening to and still do (those still alive)--big influences on Bobby Zimmerman...errr, Dylan, and Bonnie Raitt:
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The rest / Re: Good music
« on: January 29, 2021, 05:01:43 AM »
Thanks, nan.
This is something I sang with my highschool choir, among many other gospel songs:
This is something I sang with my highschool choir, among many other gospel songs:
11
Walking the walk / Re: Gardening
« on: January 28, 2021, 03:32:05 PM »
That's really exciting, Neven. I have friends who went heavily into hazelnuts. Unfortunately for me, I shortly thereafter discovered that I have a fairly serious allergy to tree nuts :/
In any case, besides the books you mentioned, have you heard of this one?
Designing a Forest Garden: The Seven-Layer Garden
https://www.chelseagreen.com/2020/designing-a-forest-garden-the-seven-story-garden/
Technically, I have six of the seven--no tall fruit/nut bearing trees. I planted a hickory in the back yard a few years ago, but it didn't make it. May try again next year, but in any case, I can't eat 'em, and I would probably be long gone by the time it reached any significant stature.
In any case, besides the books you mentioned, have you heard of this one?
Designing a Forest Garden: The Seven-Layer Garden
https://www.chelseagreen.com/2020/designing-a-forest-garden-the-seven-story-garden/
Technically, I have six of the seven--no tall fruit/nut bearing trees. I planted a hickory in the back yard a few years ago, but it didn't make it. May try again next year, but in any case, I can't eat 'em, and I would probably be long gone by the time it reached any significant stature.
12
Policy and solutions / Re: Renewable Energy
« on: January 28, 2021, 07:09:09 AM »
(Smil has a history of getting China horribly wrong, sometimes because he takes their data at face value, iirc)
13
The politics / Re: Biden’s Presidency
« on: January 22, 2021, 10:59:53 PM »
Biden...ah, a Christian who actually goes to Church! And hasn't had multiple divorces. Hmmm
geront, that 'God' language came in at about the same time as 'under God' was introduced into the pledge of allegiance that all kids were forced to say every day at school. They were both part of the red scare hysteria, seen as a way to weed out 'godless commies.'
We would be a much better (and frankly more truly Christian) nation if we had allowed more Communists and Socialist into policy making decisions and into the national dialogue during these years.
geront, that 'God' language came in at about the same time as 'under God' was introduced into the pledge of allegiance that all kids were forced to say every day at school. They were both part of the red scare hysteria, seen as a way to weed out 'godless commies.'
We would be a much better (and frankly more truly Christian) nation if we had allowed more Communists and Socialist into policy making decisions and into the national dialogue during these years.
14
Science / Re: Global Warming Would Stop Quickly After Emissions Go To Zero
« on: January 21, 2021, 03:09:39 AM »
cran is much more polite than I
15
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: January 19, 2021, 03:18:04 AM »
Thanks for the flu graph, vox. As I thought, we're pretty far below averages this year.
That stat about air quality limits for cremations in LA is just one of those little factoids that somehow drives home (to me at least) the grim realities people are facing there.
With a third of the population having already gotten it, I'm wondering if some of the hardest hit sub-populations--Blacks and Latinx in particular--are going to reach 'natural herd immunity' before most of them get access to the vaccine. Not the best way to get to herd immunity...
That stat about air quality limits for cremations in LA is just one of those little factoids that somehow drives home (to me at least) the grim realities people are facing there.
With a third of the population having already gotten it, I'm wondering if some of the hardest hit sub-populations--Blacks and Latinx in particular--are going to reach 'natural herd immunity' before most of them get access to the vaccine. Not the best way to get to herd immunity...
16
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: January 18, 2021, 10:25:28 PM »
RR mentioned excess deaths. It strikes me that this measure is becoming less and less useful, given that the measures taken to avoid covid are all even more effective in suppressing seasonal flu. So probably the excess death number may be underestimating deaths from covid.
I guess as we get a clearer picture of how much deaths from flu have been avoided this season, we may be able to more accurately factor this into the estimates for excess deaths due to covid19
I guess as we get a clearer picture of how much deaths from flu have been avoided this season, we may be able to more accurately factor this into the estimates for excess deaths due to covid19
17
Consequences / Re: Global recession, supply issues and other COVID-19 consequences
« on: January 16, 2021, 10:27:32 PM »
So, again, W is spreading dangerous lies about life-and-death issues on this forum.
At some point (like...already) it becomes the forums moral responsibility not to be party to the spreading of dangerous lives in the midst of a global pandemic, just as it does so well (usually) in keeping climate denialism off of its threads.
(Note also that his source does not have the best reputation in the publishing world--see this among other damning reviews cited from wiki:
At some point (like...already) it becomes the forums moral responsibility not to be party to the spreading of dangerous lives in the midst of a global pandemic, just as it does so well (usually) in keeping climate denialism off of its threads.
(Note also that his source does not have the best reputation in the publishing world--see this among other damning reviews cited from wiki:
Quote
According to Allison and James Kaufman in the 2018 book Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science, "Frontiers has used an in-house journals management software that does not give reviewers the option to recommend the rejection of manuscripts" and that the "system is setup to make it almost impossible to reject papers".
18
Consequences / Re: Global recession, supply issues and other COVID-19 consequences
« on: January 16, 2021, 05:28:27 AM »
W wrote: "...the wealthy, who were more affected by the virus..."
Any evidence for this bizarre claim??
Those most affected by the virus in the US, at least, are pretty much BIPOC communities, not exactly by and large the prototypes of 'the wealthy' (though of course one can always come up with some individual exceptions)
Any evidence for this bizarre claim??
Those most affected by the virus in the US, at least, are pretty much BIPOC communities, not exactly by and large the prototypes of 'the wealthy' (though of course one can always come up with some individual exceptions)
19
The politics / Re: The Trump Presidency
« on: January 15, 2021, 12:07:48 AM »
US police three times as likely to use force against leftwing protesters, data finds
Law enforcement responses to more than 13,000 protests show a clear disparity in responses, new statistics show
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/us-police-use-of-force-protests-black-lives-matter-far-right
Law enforcement responses to more than 13,000 protests show a clear disparity in responses, new statistics show
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/13/us-police-use-of-force-protests-black-lives-matter-far-right
20
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: January 12, 2021, 09:20:38 PM »Quote
“I don’t want to be an alarmist,” Beirich said, “but I worry about a mass casualty event at the inauguration.”
In general, Beirich said, whatever Trump’s actions may be in the future, “I don’t see how you can embolden and energize this many people, in what has become an anti-democratic movement, without creating a strong possibility of violence.”
I think we need to be asking for further help from Canada and maybe some other allies.
And as the Trumpists focus on DC and state capitols, Neo-Nazis are looking to take advantage of that mayhem to cause further chaos elsewhere:
Quote
The 17 January date is one focus of protest organizing by Trumpists, with plans for armed protests at state capitols around the country. In the Parler Lifeboat channel on Monday, one Trump supporter responded to a post on the Gateway Pundit site urging people to stay away from the rallies with defiance, writing, “I urge you all to take up arms and show up.”
A subsequent “Million Militia March” planned for inauguration day in Washington DC – which will come at the tail end of three days of protest in the capital, was being pointed to by other accelerationist channels as an opportunity for escalating tension and violence far and wide, while law enforcement were preoccupied with events in Washington DC.
One channel posted an advertisement for a “Million Militia March” scheduled for 20 January in the capital, with the caption: “The Trumpists will be keeping DC and the military busy on the 20th as you can see.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/11/trump-supporters-rightwing-violent-protest
21
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: January 12, 2021, 04:45:54 PM »
The Basic Reproduction Number is a 20th century concept, so no one was keeping track of it in earlier centuries, so we don't really have data on it going back 'centuries', do we?
from wiki:
from wiki:
Quote
The roots of the basic reproduction concept can be traced through the work of Ronald Ross [died 1932], Alfred Lotka [died 1949] and others, but its first modern application in epidemiology was by George MacDonald in 1952
22
The politics / Re: The Trump Presidency
« on: January 12, 2021, 04:10:29 PM »
I saw the video of the woman being shot. That did not stop them, from what I saw. Not right away, anyway.
They had wrist ties, truckloads of guns and bombs...if some brave capitol cops hadn't put their lives between these assholes and the congress, there likely would have at least been hostages, possibly hangings and other murders.
But I don't think most of them came completely ready for an armed insurrection.
I think it was a combination of groups like boogaloo bois ('stand back and stand by') who were ready to take things much further, 'loan wolves' who were doing random vandalism, and 'riot tourists' along for the ride. This excuses none of them, of course. Nor those here and elsewhere who criminally support them through false equivalences and other lies.
Sad to see the site is still tolerating with people who are actively defending the attempted take over of the US government because they don't like the results of a legitimate election.
As we are seeing, words have very dire real world consequences
We are basically dealing with a US rightwing Taliban, and I would ask that this site not support those who are encouraging this lethal development
(missing blum these days :/ )
They had wrist ties, truckloads of guns and bombs...if some brave capitol cops hadn't put their lives between these assholes and the congress, there likely would have at least been hostages, possibly hangings and other murders.
But I don't think most of them came completely ready for an armed insurrection.
I think it was a combination of groups like boogaloo bois ('stand back and stand by') who were ready to take things much further, 'loan wolves' who were doing random vandalism, and 'riot tourists' along for the ride. This excuses none of them, of course. Nor those here and elsewhere who criminally support them through false equivalences and other lies.
Sad to see the site is still tolerating with people who are actively defending the attempted take over of the US government because they don't like the results of a legitimate election.
As we are seeing, words have very dire real world consequences
We are basically dealing with a US rightwing Taliban, and I would ask that this site not support those who are encouraging this lethal development
(missing blum these days :/ )
23
The politics / Re: The Trump Presidency
« on: January 12, 2021, 02:06:25 PM »
This just in from Huffington Post:
House Democrats Briefed On 3 Terrifying Plots To Overthrow Government
One plot includes surrounding the Capitol and murdering Democrats to allow Republicans to take control of the government.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-briefed-plot-overthrow-government_n_5ffd29a4c5b691806c4bf199
House Democrats Briefed On 3 Terrifying Plots To Overthrow Government
One plot includes surrounding the Capitol and murdering Democrats to allow Republicans to take control of the government.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democrats-briefed-plot-overthrow-government_n_5ffd29a4c5b691806c4bf199
24
The politics / Re: The Trump Presidency
« on: January 12, 2021, 12:25:37 PM »
Just popping in to say--I think there is about to be a real civil war, anyway.
Trump is speaking from the Alamo today (actually, the little border town of Alamo, TX, not the actual location of the famous battle, but he and his followers aren't likely to make a distinction).
I can think of no 'better' setting from which to officially launch the civil war he has been hinting at through much of his presidency.
Remember when he told the Proud Boys to 'Stand back, and stand by'--that signaled to all his most violent followers that he would give a signal some day for them to take up arms and start a full on armed insurrection. The 6th was just a dress rehearsal, so to speak
Hoping that all (including what's left of our democracy) manage to survive the next few days
Trump is speaking from the Alamo today (actually, the little border town of Alamo, TX, not the actual location of the famous battle, but he and his followers aren't likely to make a distinction).
I can think of no 'better' setting from which to officially launch the civil war he has been hinting at through much of his presidency.
Remember when he told the Proud Boys to 'Stand back, and stand by'--that signaled to all his most violent followers that he would give a signal some day for them to take up arms and start a full on armed insurrection. The 6th was just a dress rehearsal, so to speak
Hoping that all (including what's left of our democracy) manage to survive the next few days
25
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: January 07, 2021, 12:23:03 AM »
Not sure if I can continue on with posters who openly supported the idiot that brought us to this sorry state. Probably signing off for a while at least, till TM and his ilk have changed their tune, pretending to be against violence but supporting the most violent elements in our society...
Best wishes to most of the others
Best wishes to most of the others
26
Consequences / Re: Origins of COVID-19
« on: January 05, 2021, 06:17:09 PM »
Just going by the principle "Extraordinary claims requires extraordinary evidence"
One article by two dudes who are at best at the outer margins of their fields and not active researchers does not raise to that standard.
But you've clearly already decided you know the absolute truth about this, so don't let me get in your way!
One article by two dudes who are at best at the outer margins of their fields and not active researchers does not raise to that standard.
But you've clearly already decided you know the absolute truth about this, so don't let me get in your way!
27
Consequences / Re: Origins of COVID-19
« on: January 05, 2021, 04:45:56 PM »
All sorts of bullshit gets published all the time, yes, even in 'scientific' journals.
One thing I've learned over the years--don't put too much stock in any one article, even in a 'scientific' journal.
Note, though that the article in question is by two authors, neither apparently attached to a university or research facility, and apparently related (same, rather unusual, last name). For one, it's his only article published. The other has only had two articles published--one in '05, the other in the last century--these are not dudes at the pulsing center of their fields (if they are even in this or a related field).
One thing I've learned over the years--don't put too much stock in any one article, even in a 'scientific' journal.
Note, though that the article in question is by two authors, neither apparently attached to a university or research facility, and apparently related (same, rather unusual, last name). For one, it's his only article published. The other has only had two articles published--one in '05, the other in the last century--these are not dudes at the pulsing center of their fields (if they are even in this or a related field).
28
Science / Re: Global Warming Would Stop Quickly After Emissions Go To Zero
« on: January 05, 2021, 03:40:32 AM »
Ken, that rosy estimate seems to be contradicted by these paragraphs form the same article:
Sooo, if stopping emissions would immediately stop warming, then slowing down emissions should at least somewhat slow down warming, right? But that hasn't happened.
And if the the intended meaning is that the minute we stop emitting GHGs, we will immediately return to pre-industrial temperatures and atmospheric ghg levels....well, that's just absurd on the face of it, given that 90 some percent of warming and a good portion of the CO2 went into the oceans, which will start 'giving back' said gasses and heat if we ever stop emitting GHGs.
This also seems to ignore multiple feedbacks that have already started and that also interact with (feedback on) each other in a way that is difficult to impossible to accurately model...but not likely to be pretty.
But of course I'm all for ending emissions as soon as possible. But we will have then figure out ways to re-sequester at least some of the CO2, etc, if we want anything like a livable climate any time soon.
Quote
Parts of the world economy may have been on pause during 2020, dampening greenhouse gas emissions for a while. But that didn’t slow the overall buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which reached its highest level in millions of years.
If anything, research during the year showed global warming is accelerating. Symptoms of the fever include off-the-charts heat waves on land and in the oceans, and a hyperactive and destructive Atlantic hurricane season.
And through November, the last year was on pace to end up as either the hottest, or second-hottest on record for the planet, almost 1 degree Celsius above pre-industrial times
Sooo, if stopping emissions would immediately stop warming, then slowing down emissions should at least somewhat slow down warming, right? But that hasn't happened.
And if the the intended meaning is that the minute we stop emitting GHGs, we will immediately return to pre-industrial temperatures and atmospheric ghg levels....well, that's just absurd on the face of it, given that 90 some percent of warming and a good portion of the CO2 went into the oceans, which will start 'giving back' said gasses and heat if we ever stop emitting GHGs.
This also seems to ignore multiple feedbacks that have already started and that also interact with (feedback on) each other in a way that is difficult to impossible to accurately model...but not likely to be pretty.
But of course I'm all for ending emissions as soon as possible. But we will have then figure out ways to re-sequester at least some of the CO2, etc, if we want anything like a livable climate any time soon.
29
Consequences / Re: Global recession, supply issues and other COVID-19 consequences
« on: January 04, 2021, 09:46:13 PM »
America May Have the Worst Hunger Problem of Any Rich Nation
(And that's pre-pandemic)
https://slate.com/business/2014/09/american-hunger-it-s-embarrassing-by-rich-country-standards.html
Last year, almost a third of families with kids in the US were food insecure: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers
Hunger in America, Especially for Children, Has “Skyrocketed” During Covid-19
https://theintercept.com/2020/09/23/hunger-food-insecurity-coronavirus-children-census/
(And that's pre-pandemic)
https://slate.com/business/2014/09/american-hunger-it-s-embarrassing-by-rich-country-standards.html
Quote
...According to Gallup’s findings, cited by the OECD, Americans are far more likely to say they were unable to pay for food than citizens of other rich countries.
In 2011 and 2012, 21 percent of U.S. citizens reported food trouble, versus 8 percent of British survey takers, 6 percent of Swedes, and 5 percent of Germans...
Last year, almost a third of families with kids in the US were food insecure: https://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers
Hunger in America, Especially for Children, Has “Skyrocketed” During Covid-19
https://theintercept.com/2020/09/23/hunger-food-insecurity-coronavirus-children-census/
30
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: January 03, 2021, 02:31:09 PM »
Genocide, pure and simple:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/palestinians-excluded-from-israeli-covid-vaccine-rollout-as-jabs-go-to-settlers
Palestinians excluded from Israeli Covid vaccine rollout as jabs go to settlers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/03/palestinians-excluded-from-israeli-covid-vaccine-rollout-as-jabs-go-to-settlers
Palestinians excluded from Israeli Covid vaccine rollout as jabs go to settlers
Quote
...As the world ramps up what is already on track to become a highly unequal vaccination push – with people in richer nations first to be inoculated – the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories provides a stark example of the divide.
Israel transports batches of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine deep inside the West Bank. But they are only distributed to Jewish settlers, and not the roughly 2.7 million Palestinians living around them who may have to wait for weeks or months....
31
The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: December 31, 2020, 10:06:36 PM »
From a neighbor:
Quote
I didn’t post last night. Lots I could say.
I’m waiting to watch the cameras so that I can see for myself what happened. I don’t need any synopsis or summary.
John Elders [MPD spokesperson/pathological liar] already out making statements that are false just like last time. He’s not just an officer. He is a Councilmember in New Hope. How many of you knew that?
It should not have taken another human life to make it any more clear. The police know that there is no consequence for this. There haven’t been yet. The main murderer in the Floyd case took 4 days to arrest, they let him out and he can go to another surrounding state for safety, they wanted to move the trial to St Cloud...the list goes on. Who was the first one to get time? Officer Noor. The first and last example they made out of anyone after how many murders?
The Mayor has made changes that haven’t improved anything a few times now. You can’t reform the police, hell you can’t even control them let alone reform them.
At what point are we going to get real here? Everyone should be mortified.
THEY JUST MADE USE OF FORCE CHANGES IN AUGUST! Here we are again. Can’t shoot at moving vehicles and must use the least amount of force possible. So unless they attempted to taze, pepper spray, CS gas, or rubber bullet him first, clearly they used the most amount of force possible by shooting this person in the head.
Innocent until proven guilty. The spin cycle already churned out a fake term, “felony traffic stop”. Narrative. It gives the impression that the person deserved it.
Read it for yourself for those that don’t know.
This is exactly why GFS is holding that corner down until after the trial.
We can’t keep pretending like nothing happened, put up a monument, and then throw flowers in front of it so “we can all move on”. That $20 was never counterfeit. They never corrected for that narrative either. They want the presence of doubt.
Something did happen. It happened again last night. Cops are not jury’s or judges. They just like to play all the roles. This sends a message to the public. They don’t care about the Chief. They don’t care about the Mayor. They don’t care about the Council.
They don’t respect the communities they serve.
They don’t respect the badge because; if they did, the good ones would speak out. If Kroll [head of police union, verifiable pos] is as dangerous as we all know them to be to the point where officers fear speaking out, what does that tell you? When an overwhelming majority of the “union” federation votes for the current leadership of Kroll, a known racist, what does that tell you? When you drive from Andover and Hugo everyday to terrorize people who don’t look like you at disproportionate numbers, what does that tell you?
The police may pass out bikes and toys but that doesn’t absolve them of these murders. They are out of control. I call them the uncheckables. Even being fired by the Chief means nothing. They get reinstated. They are like meteorologists. They can be completely wrong and still have a job.
If we have rules of engagement in war (and I’m a vet so I would know) how in the hell don’t we have them here? Cops want to go home at night? Of course they do. I wanted to come home after 14 months in the desert. But we sign up for the job and that’s the risk we take.
We don’t get to go around playing shoot em up because it’s better to shoot first and ask questions later in the name of getting to go home at night. That shit is cowardly and in the military would land you in Leavenworth and dishonorably discharged.
The history of policing is important. Those of you that don’t know it need to get educated on the topic. You would know why it can’t be reformed. You would know why we need community control. You would see how the original purpose for police is still being carried out in present day.
They had their scope reduced and 8 million moved to the department that will take ownership of the work and the positions to carry them out.
In 2018, 60.8 million was spent statewide on lawsuits because of police misconduct. It’s now a billion dollar problem. This is why we leave people to freeze in parks. We pay at the expense of human lives for these “mistakes” and misconduct.
So keep asking for more money for the department and see how much safer you are. Reallocate money where it counts: housing, economic development, environmental pollution mitigation, education, youth programming, and elder care. Watch how safe we can be.
Priorities. Right now state sanctioned murder is being normalized. What is it going to take? These officers are rogue. This is why the state and FBI are investigating them and the BCA has to come in because we can’t trust them to do anything but not respond to calls and kill people.
I don’t want to hear the what about the good cops argument. Let them speak for themselves and stand up. Yes, I remember the open letter. Where did that get us? And then Former Deputy Chief DC Knight tries to call it out and the Chief demoted him. What does that tell you? This is the same Chief who sued the city and won because he knows better than most the discrimination Black officers face and the double standards they are held to.
We can’t ignore this.
Mayor Jacob Frey
at what point are you going to get real? Phillipe Cunningham - Ward 4 Minneapolis City Council Member
what is the public safety committee going to do? Linea Palmisano
what about enterprise? Is this not an enterprise issue?
32
The rest / Re: R's sudden, 100% insincere 'concern' about US debt
« on: December 31, 2020, 09:59:28 PM »
" Republicans were probably silent because Trump is a Republican"
As we say: "No sh!t, Sherlock"
Hence the title of the freakin' thread. and the many excellent comments and cartoons ridiculing their baldfaced insincerity about caring about this, or really about anything but their own raw power
As we say: "No sh!t, Sherlock"
Hence the title of the freakin' thread. and the many excellent comments and cartoons ridiculing their baldfaced insincerity about caring about this, or really about anything but their own raw power
33
The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: December 31, 2020, 09:57:03 PM »
Still no bodycam footage today. The victim was a 23 year old Somali man. A vigil is planned, but also some late night protests. Conflicting witness accounts, so far, from what I've seen.
We need justice, but it would be nice to not have more opportunities for rightwing assholes to come into my neighborhood and, under the cover of righteous protests, burn much of it down again!
We need justice, but it would be nice to not have more opportunities for rightwing assholes to come into my neighborhood and, under the cover of righteous protests, burn much of it down again!
34
Consequences / Re: Global recession, supply issues and other COVID-19 consequences
« on: December 31, 2020, 09:54:09 PM »
covid and the lockdowns are responsible for 0% of hunger and poverty.
it is blindingly obvious to anyone who doesn't have their eyes rigidly shut that poverty comes from people not having money. And people not having money is because other people have nearly all the money (and power).
I'm sure all posters who express great dismay about hunger and poverty will join me in calling for an immediate redistribution of wealth, so that the richest 1% no longer owns as much as, or more than, the entire middle class (not to mention everyone else!)
it is blindingly obvious to anyone who doesn't have their eyes rigidly shut that poverty comes from people not having money. And people not having money is because other people have nearly all the money (and power).
I'm sure all posters who express great dismay about hunger and poverty will join me in calling for an immediate redistribution of wealth, so that the richest 1% no longer owns as much as, or more than, the entire middle class (not to mention everyone else!)
35
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: December 31, 2020, 05:43:41 PM »
It is rare, as I understand it, for vaccines to have long-term effects.
Of course, not impossible--there just are no totally risk free alternatives...in this case, or in life generally
(Wondering why anyone has to explain this on a forum presumably made up of mostly adults...)
Of course, not impossible--there just are no totally risk free alternatives...in this case, or in life generally
(Wondering why anyone has to explain this on a forum presumably made up of mostly adults...)
36
The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: December 31, 2020, 09:26:34 AM »
Cops in Minneapolis just shot someone dead not far from the George Floyd site. People are rightly suspicious of police around here, tho in this case witnesses do concur that the person who was shot opened fire on the police first. Still many questions unanswered at this point.
Crowds started to gather, but have now dispersed, as I understand it. Can hear a lot of helicopters from my house, which I assume are mostly police surveillance, tho some may have been news copters.
Police body camera footage is supposedly going to be released tomorrow. I hope we don't have too much disruption (looting, arson, etc), but I also do want cops to be accountable, of course.
Crowds started to gather, but have now dispersed, as I understand it. Can hear a lot of helicopters from my house, which I assume are mostly police surveillance, tho some may have been news copters.
Police body camera footage is supposedly going to be released tomorrow. I hope we don't have too much disruption (looting, arson, etc), but I also do want cops to be accountable, of course.
37
The rest / Re: R's sudden, 100% insincere 'concern' about US debt
« on: December 30, 2020, 11:12:35 PM »
Good one, vox
And thanks for making my point for me, Al!
And thanks for making my point for me, Al!
38
The rest / Re: R's sudden, 100% insincere 'concern' about US debt
« on: December 30, 2020, 06:13:07 PM »
I'm fine with that. When tom posted a debt related thing on the covid thread, I thought you had told him to put it in the 'the rest' thread.
39
The rest / R's sudden, 100% insincere 'concern' about US debt
« on: December 30, 2020, 04:48:54 PM »
Expect to see a flood of newfound 'concern' about US debt coming from Republican quarters now that a new Democratic administration is about to take charge, this after expressing zero concern about debt as Trump and the Repubs exploded the debt with massive tax breaks for corporations and fore the very richest.
Republican posters here may now prove me right by posting all their newfound 'concerns' about debt
Republican posters here may now prove me right by posting all their newfound 'concerns' about debt
40
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: December 28, 2020, 09:03:19 PM »
Since I do have some pretty severe allergies, I would have to see if one of the more recent or still-to-be-released vaccines avoid negative side affects associated with that population, or at least consult my doctor before taking it.
It is also not reassuring that there is so little transparency about the details of the deals that were cut with big pharma over this, and that it appears that they are off the hook for any law suits that arise from bad effects or deaths from their vaccines (but do correct me if I am mis-remembering this).
On the other point--it is rather obvious that no one died from or even suffered hunger because of covid. There is plenty of food (and plenty of money to buy food) around and available. People are suffering hunger because of obscene mal-distributions of wealth and food.
I'm sure that those here professing such concern for the poor will join me in calling for an immediate re-dstribution of wealth away from the 1% and to the 90% (and especially to the lowest 50%).
It is also not reassuring that there is so little transparency about the details of the deals that were cut with big pharma over this, and that it appears that they are off the hook for any law suits that arise from bad effects or deaths from their vaccines (but do correct me if I am mis-remembering this).
On the other point--it is rather obvious that no one died from or even suffered hunger because of covid. There is plenty of food (and plenty of money to buy food) around and available. People are suffering hunger because of obscene mal-distributions of wealth and food.
I'm sure that those here professing such concern for the poor will join me in calling for an immediate re-dstribution of wealth away from the 1% and to the 90% (and especially to the lowest 50%).
41
The rest / Re: George Floyd murder and blowback
« on: December 27, 2020, 05:29:38 PM »
This article is old, but it emphasizes how much evidence there is that much of the arson and violence in my neighborhood after the Floyd lynching was committed by rightwing a$$holes, trying (pretty successfully) to paint BLM and allies as violent. No evidence of any Antifa involvement in violence here that I've heard of, by the way.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/05/30/outsiders-extremists-are-among-those-fomenting-violence-in-twin-cities
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/05/30/outsiders-extremists-are-among-those-fomenting-violence-in-twin-cities
42
The politics / Re: Midterm American elections 2022
« on: December 26, 2020, 11:08:55 PM »
This is good:
https://www.rawstory.com/radical-centrism/
But the whole thing is great (and it's clearly opinion, so please spare me any comments about how this site is 'biased'...)
https://www.rawstory.com/radical-centrism/
Quote
...A rational observer might assume that the victory of a reactionary psychopath who upended all normative assumptions about politics would have introduced a little humility and introspection into the [Democratic] centrist consensus. That observer had best not hold her breath.
Biden hasn't even taken the oath of office, and the centrist crew, including Obama and Biden himself, are blaming the left for Democratic losses in the Senate, House and state legislatures, citing the activist call to "defund the police" as the primary reason for the party's poor down-ballot performance. There is no data to support this conclusion. If anything, the available evidence actually suggests that candidates with progressive positions outperformed the so-called moderates.
Lack of evidence has never stopped the centrists before. Now they've reached a point where information is an unnecessary impediment to their effort to overwhelm all legitimate political or ideological debate with a mélange of platitudes and bromides...
The RAND Corporation — hardly an advocate of socialism or Marxism — recently reported that from 1975 to 2018, the top 1 percent, taking advantage of tax policies, corporate welfare and other built-in benefits, took in $47 trillion — that's trillion, with 12 zeroes – that otherwise would have been distributed among the bottom 90 percent...
But the whole thing is great (and it's clearly opinion, so please spare me any comments about how this site is 'biased'...)
43
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: December 25, 2020, 08:05:05 PM »
Thanks for that bit of history, g
These f'rs never stop, not even for Christmas!
https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/26957/urgent_email_to_michigan_lawmakers_threatens_backers_of_this_bogus_election
These f'rs never stop, not even for Christmas!
https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/26957/urgent_email_to_michigan_lawmakers_threatens_backers_of_this_bogus_election
Quote
"Keep your heads down, it is going to get ugly," warns a scary email sent Tuesday night to state representatives.
It vows "a mass execution" for backers of "this bogus election" for president.
Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, tweets a screenshot of the alarming text, addressed to dozens of members, and says: "This email has already been sent to the authorities."
A supporter of President Trump "chose to send it from his work email," notes the suburban Detroit lawmaker, who shows a name and business name while covering the email address...
Under a one-word subject line -- "Urgent!" -- the agitated sender says: "The voters of America have been dealt a great injustice by their elected officials. They have few options left."
More excerpts from his 11-sentence text:
I am afraid that all American voters will now be forced to change our government officials with bullets instead of ballots. I predict a mass execution of public officials across this land and I predict it to start very soon. ... The American people are and always will be the force of power in America.
Referring to the date when Congress will confirm the Electoral College victory by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the email adds: "January 6th is our last best chance for our government to right the ship."
Unless senators and representatives "vote Trump into his rightful 2nd term that the American people voted for ... it is time to show the world who is really in charge of this great land."
Pohutsky, who'll be sworn in for a second term Jan. 1, says in a five-tweet thread to nearly 15,000 followers that her office "gets emails like this every day."
"[Our] workplace is getting less and less safe. ... We have a policy right now that no one other than me is allowed in the office unless there is an emergency.
This is not just due to Covid. This is also because, despite multiple conversations about it, we haven’t found a reliable way for my staff to get out of the building if one of these people makes good on one of these threats."
The first-term representative anticipates "I will likely face backlash for posting this" with the sender's name and business, and decalres: "I have been as patient as I intend to be on this matter. Enough is enough."...
44
The rest / Re: The off topic off topic thread
« on: December 25, 2020, 05:59:53 AM »
All the best to you, too, nanning! And everyone else, too
45
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: December 23, 2020, 11:05:26 PM »
https://www.alternet.org/2020/12/white-supremacist/
... FBI affidavit reveals white supremacists planned attack on US power grid if Trump lost
... FBI affidavit reveals white supremacists planned attack on US power grid if Trump lost
46
The politics / Re: The Alt Right
« on: December 22, 2020, 01:55:14 PM »
https://deadline.com/2020/12/armed-protesters-enter-oregon-state-capitol-building-assault-police-chemical-agent-1234660385/?fbclid=IwAR34aju56p2sjmHqyoZtd08As7PvXiZ3i_i-Hk0mIPbDQCsXtkz_FdKqqLs
Armed Protesters Break Into Oregon State Capitol Building, Break Windows, Assault Journalists, Hit Police With Chemical Agent
(Anti-maskers)
Armed Protesters Break Into Oregon State Capitol Building, Break Windows, Assault Journalists, Hit Police With Chemical Agent
(Anti-maskers)
47
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: December 22, 2020, 03:46:21 AM »
I haven't been keeping up with the latest, so my apologies if this is a dumb question--Is there any evidence at all at this time that any people getting this new variant had 'natural' immunity to the first one (had already gotten it)?
If not, then your hypothesis, Rodius, interesting as it may be, is un-substantiated speculation at this point, no?
I guess at this early date, speculation is about the best we have; it is after all called: V(ariant)U(nder)I(investigation--202012/01 !
If not, then your hypothesis, Rodius, interesting as it may be, is un-substantiated speculation at this point, no?
I guess at this early date, speculation is about the best we have; it is after all called: V(ariant)U(nder)I(investigation--202012/01 !
48
The rest / Re: Good music
« on: December 19, 2020, 08:13:11 PM »
Not really into much Christmas music this year. Not sure if this qualifies, but it's something I can at least more than tolerate:
49
Consequences / Re: COVID-19
« on: December 18, 2020, 09:18:34 PM »
Good posts, vox, if scary. There is a reason that it is from military jargon that we get the acronyms FUBAR and SNAFU
50
The forum / Re: Forum Decorum
« on: December 18, 2020, 02:22:37 AM »
Navajo proverb: You can't wake someone up who is only pretending to be asleep