Coming February 6, 2024 . . .
MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
Pre-order at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop
Coming February 6, 2024 . . . MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE by Michael Wolraich Pre-order at Barnes & Noble / Amazon / Books-A-Million / Bookshop |
An open thread to which I invite you to share what you are reading, thinking, viewing but don't feel like writing a dissertation about.
The intra-Palestinian meeting in Moscow has precedent
— Hanna Notte (@HannaNotte) February 29, 2024
Russia's hosted such meetings in the past, most recently Feb 2019
Russia has long lamented the US' "monopolization" of the peace process & tried to carve out a niche for itself: mediating among the disunited Palestinians/2
Here's what I told them: https://halginsberg.com/vote-for-jill-stein-again/
Controversial Brazil law curbing Indigenous rights comes into force https://t.co/pCoDg05irX
— Gareth Harris (@garethharr) December 28, 2023
Location: U.S. Embassy and residential compounds
Events: Heavy gunfire is occuring around the area of the U.S. Embassy and residential compounds adjacent to the Trutier area of Tabarre. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain indoors and shelter-in-place until further notice. All others should avoid the area.
Actions to take:
- Avoid the area;
- Avoid demonstrations and any large gatherings of people;
- Do not attempt to drive through roadblocks; and
- If you encounter a roadblock, turn around and get to a safe area.
By The Editorial Board @ Bloomberg.com, December 8, 2023
A mass expulsion of Afghan migrants could destabilize the region and fuel radicalization. The West should pressure Islamabad to change course.
All eyes on #Chad right now
Chad has two internet trunks coming into the country: One from the Red Sea via Sudan; the other from Cameroon. Not possible for the totality of the country's internet network to be shut unless done centrally. A lot of rumors swirling; few facts. https://t.co/N6bDJZ2ixO
BREAKING: Three loss prevention employees in Macy’s across the street from Philadelphia City Hall stabbed, one of them has died from stab wounds, @PhillyPolice sources tell me. Police converged on the store as the three workers were rushed to Jefferson Hospital. pic.twitter.com/4U1eKycL4W
Former US Ambassador Arrested, Charged With Working As Secret Agent For Cuba https://t.co/LDwo4ZJI1K
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 4, 2023
[Chapter I news is HERE, Oct. 7 til today]
You don’t get it.
— George Deek (@GeorgeDeek) December 2, 2023
It’s not about an UNRWA teacher who held an Israeli kid hostage in his house.
It’s all about how for 75 years you have destroyed the future of generations of Palestinians, including my family.
My cousins in Arab countries are still not citizens - not even the… https://t.co/nv6anubGhc
Note 'Community Notes' attached to UNWRA's statement.
Imperialism for me but not for thee?
It's wild that Venezuela is now holding a vote on whether 2/3 of Guyana actually belongs to them! Analysts suggest that Modoru may want military action to pump up his sinking popularity.
Could we have a war in South America?!?
"The people who live in Essequibo are largely… pic.twitter.com/QvMEjkkgwy
The lack of a cohesive delegation has allowed attention-seeking lawmakers to act on their own.
McCarthy: “You have [Rep. Matt] Gaetz, who belongs in jail…”
Gaetz: “Tough words from a guy who sucker punches people in the back. The only assault I committed was against Kevin’s fragile ego.”https://t.co/LctPuz6Pcf
By Martinn Pengelly in Washington DC for TheGuardian.com, Nov. 30
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Ryan Grim life in Congress ‘completely transformed’ after Democratic leader stepped down
"Both the AU and the intl community place more weight on whether elections are held than whether they are free and fair. Sanctions/expulsions occur when there is a coup but not necessarily when elections are rigged or if an “institutional coup” occurs." https://t.co/m9dNimJP0D
— Cameron Hudson (@_hudsonc) November 28, 2023
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Comments
Me first?
A great review of a not so great movie. The Ghost of Rambo discusses the entire Rambo series plus the book on which the character is based. Warning -- spoiler of ending, in case you weren't going to wait for the DVD anyway.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 7:54pm
This one is a little more iffy. It deserves a longer and more thoughtful post but I am not the one to write it and I haven't seen anyone else mention it so far.
Where in the world was Barack Obama yesterday morning? From Insider Advantage/Georgia I learned he was at Harvest Cathedral in Macon, Georgia.
Here is a video excerpt from Obama's website:
YouTube - Obama speaks at Harvest Cathedral, Macon GA
And here is a little more about the event from The Chicago Tribune
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 8:22pm
What chores would Jesus do?
I'm an atheist, but have always been fascinated by faith. This is an interesting portrait of people trying to live by theirs, something so few truly do.
by Mister Foo (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 9:09pm
Wonderful. Excellent. Let's try and do this every day!
I am not reading anything right now, but anxiously awaiting our Dear Leader's wisdom, which will graciously be passed down to us tonight...
(Actually, I gotta run out, so I'll be watching the time-shifted version of Deal Leader's wisdom, on about a 1 hour delay...)
Oh, and I'm enjoying watching McCain and Romney call each other liberals!!!
1.20.2009
by cscs (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 9:26pm
Am reading Sharon L. Nichols' and David Berliner's Collateral Damage: How High-Stakes Testing Corrupts American Schools.
Excellent. It's making me wonder if we going to understand the damage we are doing to our kids, our teachers, and our society by making major decisions about peoples' lives on the basis of single "high-stakes" tests. Very important for Congress to fix the No Child Left Behind act.
Is there an icon for a big yawn? :
by AmericanDreamer (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 10:27pm
Wonderful idea, Emma, thanks. Need breathing places outside of all the boxes these days. Pondering the differences between stifling debate, and debates which stifle thinking altogether. The recent word-circus is just another roadside attraction.
Salient for me? What else? Who besides the People can lead America out of the quaqmire of 8 years of shameful mis-leadership, without pursuing impeachment proceedings formally against Bush and Cheney? Without using our Constitutional correctives, we become less reliant upon the rule of law, and more upon forces of personality and political cultism. Without the People asserting a corrective and precise political will, I foresee the continued reign of more darkness in America.
We need both light to shine and eyes to see -- both ears to hear and truths to speak. Sadly, no candidate yet inspires me sufficiently to buy peanuts and sit credulously through just another show. But I will keep an open channel, always do.
Personally, I've never been happier. Perhaps that has consumed much of my freer energies. For a certainty, I don't like or trust a dynasty redux: we don't need another set of I's and II's to grapple with at this hour.
by Ticia (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 10:30pm
"Perhaps that has consumed much of my freer energies."
Perhaps Love?
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 10:58pm
The year has me all tuckered out already, and there is surely a gracious plenty of large headlines in our future.
Too soon old, I hope not to be too late smart.
by Tom Wright (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2008 - 11:53pm
Thank all of you for sharing.
I'm trying to work out how or even if to respond to each of you individually. I've enviously watched cscs facilitate conversation on his blog posts but I lack the social skills to carry a conversation very far.
I wish there were some blogging equivalents of non-verbal communications like a nod, a polite smile, a big grin or a "right on" to acknowledge posts when I am too tired or too addled to write coherently.
Maybe we can redefine the ratings on open threads like to indicate which non-verbal cues we want to convey so we at least acknowledge each other.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 12:18am
For no particular reason, your comment about leading reminded me of the Book of Exodus If It Had Been Done By Hollywood.
As Moses' publicity man said to him, "I don't believe, for a Noo Yawk minute, that you can do it, Mose ol' buddy, but if you part the Red Sea and then close it on the Egyptians, I guar-an-tee I'll get you FOUR PAGES in the Old Testament, and I'm pretty sure a nomination for Best Special Effects!"
--
Howard
*equal opportunity offense to both extremes*
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" [George Santayana]
by hcberkowitz (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 12:39am
What chores would Jesus do?
If I remember the Bible stories accurately, I think he would do whatever was needed. After all, he washed his disciples feet to teach them about humility.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:04am
Thought you might want to watch Barack Obama's response to SOTU also.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:18am
I often give a comment a 4 or 5 when signing off in a discussion, or when I want to show someone that I read and appreciate their comment but don't have anything to add.
by Mister Foo (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:25am
On other blogs, the tradition is to give people 5's (or whatever the equivalent is...) on these open threads. That would work.
Thanks for the compliment, too. I'm not sure it's great social skills...just chatty. Maybe that's a skill in itself?
1.20.2009
by cscs (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:45am
Similar thoughts for me of late, Ticia. It's a strong Democratic field this year but none of these folks walks on water and we make it harder for ourselves when we get into the mindset that we're electing a Savior rather than a quite mortal president. (or, if you prefer, as someone said here recently, "Sheesh, it's not as though we're choosing a spouse!")
The Savior mentality results either in disappointment and sometimes disengagement if our individual chosen Savior isn't the one chosen in the end. Or, it results in disappointment and sometimes disengagement if our chosen Savior does win, once they (inevitably, as all mortals do) stumble.
Arguably our last non-Savior Savior, JFK, said in his Inaugural address:
"...In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course...
[and then, in closing]
...With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."
Yes. Exactly. Leadership comes from many sources, not just a president. Long after this election is over, when even the best president we could elect stumbles, or simply needs a lot more of us out there as active and effective advocates, will enough of us have the staying power and the focus as citizens to make the system we have work to advance our worthiest goals and ideals? Or, far more modestly, simply to begin to get unstuck from the deep hole we've dug ourselves into?
by AmericanDreamer (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 11:23am
Careful- 'Washing feet' is also a euphamism for something Mary Magdalen would get on her knees for.
by Joe Monster (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 12:09pm
Emma is the best blog writer in the world.
1) I'm reading 'Against the Day,' by Thomas Pynchon. If you're into difficult, obtuse, inside-out writing, this is the best book in the world.
2) The President did the State of the Union Speech last night with NO UNDERPANTS.
3) The stimulus package is such a mistake. Why pump another $150Billion through Visa and Mastercard at a 5% commission?
4) Someone ought to write a blog about what's on other people's minds... again- thanks Emma.
by Joe Monster (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 12:13pm
Sardonic or serious?
Whichever, thanks for making me laugh.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:14pm
duplicate removed
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:15pm
...
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:16pm
...
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:16pm
My computer seems to have picked up a bug.
by Emma Zahn (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:18pm
But the Bible gives so little guidance on important modern questions. How many kinds of salad dressing did Jesus have in his fridge?
by Mister Foo (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:41pm
Watched the DVD of the movie Interview, with Steve Buscemi and Sienna Miller.
It certainly held my interest. It's about an interview between a reporter and a movie starlet and the strange turns their conversation and their evening takes.
I saw it as, in part, something of a commentary or meditation on how the media and celebrities (it could have had a politician instead of the movie starlet as the subject of the interview) bring out and reinforce one another's worst tendencies and, in fact, make it hard to be and act human.
If you happen to watch it, what do you take away from it?
by AmericanDreamer (not verified) on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:42pm