"News that's not known, or not known enough."
Helen & Harry Highwater's cranky weblog of news and opinion.
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"News that's not known, or not known enough." Helen & Harry Highwater's cranky weblog of news and opinion. |
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Assorted slime balls
Ah, but it's not just those over slime balls. It's also the ones like David Brooks and William Kristol and others. All those who supported Reagan and Nixon and Bush I and Bush II. They're just as bad and just a cold and just as self centered, just not as openly abusive about it.
Defending freedom and the Constitution
I think John Edwards needs to change course dramatically
Greedy lipstick barons
Food safety is so very important. Something that always concerns me is the approach seniors take to discarding old food-they don't. Maybe it has something to do with scarcity during the Depression, but I used to visit my dad and begin by tossing clearly spoiled food out of the fridge. He was almost always sick with some sort of "stomach bug" but refused to acknowledge the possibility that it was food borne illness. Sort of funny (not in an "ha ha" way) given that he was a food distributor! Good Lord, the things I've seen. If you want a recipe for pot-pie that won't kill you (assuming you can follow directions) come on over to my kitchen and I'll show you how to do it. I found out today that our son's brand of oatmeal has been recalled, and apparently the lipstick I've been wearing for years is loaded with lead. Sad really, just imagine how smart I could have been were it not for the greedy lipstick barons knocking my IQ into the cellar with their lead tainted offerings. They promised me fuller, sensual lips and all I got was a lifetime of underachievement (and that undergraduate degree in Anthropology, which I never would have gone for had I not been lead poisoned. Nay, I could be an investment banker today had I resisted the lure of Love That Red, which I only bought because of the name, though in retrospect, it's pretty clear they didn't mean Bob Avakian).
No absolutes
Al Gore has more credibility as an independent agitator, like Jimmy Carter... Nobody who wants to be president now has any credibility much less autonomy. The only real fix is a new constitutional convention. Amen. And you never really know for sure. For example, I opened a carton of 1/2 and 1/2 yesterday, dated for five days hence and it was already beginning to curdle. Must have been left on a loading dock in the sun a few minutes too long... There are no absolutes, hardly...
We have been going to the local farm market stand just outside of town for their tomatoes (including heritage), corn, zucchini, apples, pears and melons most of the summer. They also had pumpkins of every sort plus some I had never seen. And Indian corn with its husks swept up into a shock headpiece and tied. I got six for five bucks -- all deep reds. Then we went to the market in town. Both Hal and I are hoping that we will not outlive our money, or scare-by date. With the exception of Bill Moyers and lots of PBS, we have found we have to limit our TV exposure drastically. What we get online is plenty hairy enough. We get classical music on the same satellite system and listen to more of that every day and night. A bromide for both of us. Last night we listened to the Organ Symphony by Saint-Saens and discovered that it was a big favorite of both of us. The organ used was the big pipe organ in the Chicago Symphony hall and you could hear the size of the room in the reverberations. It was marvelous! Tonight the Pictures at an Exhibition just finished and Moyers came on. Real music is probably good brain food, too.
Rule of law is the only real alternative to rule of despots
I can't disagree, because there's nothing there. "The best way to stop it is to stop it" sounds circular to me. Please be more specific.Simply: To stop taking from the laborer and rendering to the military-industrial complex. To stop taxing wages, which are already "taxed" by the employer to build his profits, and instead to tax the profits. To stop delivering the gross national product to the warmongers on a silver platter. To stop destroying the middle class by stopping the debasement of the currency. Paul has argued for a gold standard simply because that is the constitutional basis for lawful money, but he would be equally amenable to fiat currency, were it made lawful, and operated transparently under the control of Congress rather than by private bankers under cover of darkness. There are good Democrats (although few and often assassinated, witness JFK and Wellstone). There are good Republicans (although few and typically marginalized). Honest people trying to perform public service. I don't know whether Paul has taken any position on the supreme court ruling that supported the coup d'etat, but he's not obligated to fight every battle, and since he has no influence on that under the authority of his office, it would be pure demagoguery to raise the issue, in my opinion. Paul addresses the subjects relevant to his responsibilities as a representative, and relevant to the office he now seeks, and his primary platform is a return to the rule of law, and an end to unlawful corruption. He sees that as the best available solution to the current state of affairs, and on that point I heartily agree with him. It is enough to win my emphatic support, even if I disagree with him about the majority of other issues. Please don't paint Paul as a "Libertarian" of the Ayn Rand stripe, because he is not. He is very much an advocate of limited government. This is an example of emphasizing the rule of law: The Constitution is a charter for limited government. That this is disregarded is corruption. It can be changed, to adapt to practical exigencies of the modern era, but to abandon it and submit to the tyranny of those who can best control the corporate media is not a viable option for our children. Rule of law is the only real alternative to rule of despots. That's why I endorse Ron Paul. Every other candidate with the possible exception of Kucinich is willing to disregard the fundamental laws of this nation in order to further the interests of their private constituency. Kucinich cannot attract cross-over voters, and hence cannot win. Paul has a chance to make it to a Clinton vs. Paul fight, and he would win it, because she's a warmonger. I see Paul as the only real hope for this nation, which is on it's last legs. The world might be better without the US at this point, but I doubt that the replacement will be better, frankly. Instead, a repair is in order. That is simultaneously a radical, reactionary, and moderate move.
An inconvenient question
Nooses
Noose left dangling by NYC Post Office I think Mike Rivero is correct, that the recent "surge" in noose "deposits" is likely a GOP/neo-con dirty trick. The intent is what could be called "reactionary" The rise to power of the GOP over the last couple of decades has been built on the white voters in the South who are poor to middlin', who vote against their own class interest because of the racist subtext of the GOP message, the "Macaca" voters. The GOP is desperate now. The Xtians hitched their wagons to Bush, a man who has tortured and committed war crimes, and a man who has presided over gross corruption and incompetence while claiming that "God" is telling him what to do. So that's a loser. Who is left for the GOP except the CEO's, racists, misogynists Answer: There is no one left unless the GOP can scare old people and poor white Southerners into voting GOP out of fear of terrorists and fear of black people. The party is pretty much totally fucked now, so their operative hang nooses to promote racial strife. Who is next to on the GOP Hate List, Mexicans? Slutty women? Scientists? We'll find out soon enough!
P.S. There is a key demographic, which noose-hanging is intended to protect for the GOP: Post-Confederate Gravy Eaters! (Thx to Neal Stephenson for that!)
Well, I get corroboration from Rivero's theory (which I may have mangled) from Bruce Sterling's concept of an "underground hit server", which he wrote about in "Distraction". A "hit server" is a webserver that monitors the news wires looking for negative references to specific allies, and when the slurs reach a certain level they trigger the hit server to start sending out emails to known "wackos" to go assassinate the enemies of the ally. Now, most of the "wackos" won't respond or take action, and few will have any realistic chance of success, but the Law of Large Numbers kicks in and eventually a few "wackos" journey off into the real world to take action. Then, eventually the hit server notes that the "enemy" is deceased and so it stops sending out the emails. This sort of deal could apply to political operatives having their own operatives, who have contact with people in desperate circumstances willing to work as mercenaries for a few bucks a job
Seize it, and keep it
Note that Europeans do exactly the opposite: they seize land from the sea via technology
On not dying from salmonella
Salmonella cases linked to pot pies ... no deaths reports...so far... Cook your own damn food, don't just buy frozen, packaged stuff and throw it in the microwave to heat it up. Granted, making pot pies is a bit much, but here is a similar meal in terms of protein, carbs and veggies... Adjust quantities to preference, making either a stew or a soup-like meal: 1/2 -> 1 lb of chicken, turkey or cat (I prefer turkey pastrami which is already cooked, but kittens are also quite tasty) 1 can refried beans 1 big onion 1 cup old fashioned oats 1 -> 2 cups water 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional, haha.) Cook meat and onions, then add beans, water and oats, and simmer for a while (5 minutes), then add veggies and simmer for 5 minutes (or a bit more, depending.) Optionally add salt, hot sauce garlic or whatever else you have on hand. NOTE: This will make a huge quantity of food, so if there are leftovers, which there will be, refrigerate *immediately*
It's a mad, mad, mad, Milgram world
I read the first 4 chapters so far and have skimmed the rest. Will try to read the rest through completely when I can. I highly recommend it. The one thing he does not seem to mention is that the vast majority of the people he describes are "WASPS" (While Anglo Saxon Protestant). This of course explains also why they are so anti immigration. The latest statistics show that "Whites" will very shortly be in the minority in this country and this scares the piss of these people. It is a threat to their power and any chance of retaining it in the future.
Boil it at least ten minutes
I saw that article in the Chron today. Personally I do not have to worry about that stuff because almost all of it contains some item or many that I cannot ingest. I will not purchase anything with a ConAgra or ADM logo because it will always contain some engineered or hybrid food. Guaranteed allergy reaction. I cannot even eat fresh corn from the farm stand anymore. But I take a full dose of acidophilus daily. And a double handful of vitamins, minerals and supplements with yogurt. My philosophy is not to eat unless actually hungry. And not to go near any food that smells iffy, like all seafood these days... In the case of soup that is being reheated, you must boil it at least ten minutes to kill residual bacteria. Especially if there is any tomato or legume product in it. Of course, if it is cooked meat that has been in the reefer over five days, toss it. Make that four days. In some cases, three... My personal approach is if it even arouses suspicion, pitch it. You need to have a thermometer in both your fridge and freezer. Truly. Aaarrgggh. Just click on these URLs for more instructions from the experts - Food storage: Refrigerator and freezer Includes a 4 page pdf version to print that gives you a list grid like the one I keep on my reefer. Food storage: Pantry (PDF) This one prints out a 3 page pdf version for pantry items. Food storage guidelines for consumers Virginia Tech is also very good on the food list and I use their School of Dendrology website all the time. Here's more, but I think the above sites cover the topic sufficiently if you are not paranoid - Fridge and freezer safety after the power goes out Proper meat storage is important as it represents a large part of your food budget
Something funky with the stats
There has to be something funky with the stats. Like how would they have accurate numbers for the illegal abortions... or for even the legal ones?
Still a glimmer of hope
Arguing for futility
Ron Paul argues that the current mass-taking of the product of labor from the laborer by the government and its delivery to the military industrial complex, in combination with calculated debasement of the currency is destroying the middle classes, and with it the upward mobility of the lower classes. He argues that the best way to stop this is to stop it. Do you disagree?
In response to your comment on Republican affiliation, Democrats are war criminals too. Does that make Dennis Kucinich either a criminal or one who willingly associates with criminals? Aren't you really arguing for futility, when you suggest that no one should join one of the major political parties? The game is rigged so that no one else can play seriously.
About Ron Paul
My question is; I don't know if you are on the Ron Paul bandwagon. Most intelligent Americans (sic) seem to agree with his positions on Iraq and the Fed. (Your site certainly appeals to this group.) Do you think he would be a great president? I feel a bit concerned his nuts and bolts constitutionalism may leave the poor in dire straits. How would his plans effect the rich/poor divide in this country? I don't even know if you are greatly concerned with Paul's policies. But there is no one I would more trust for intelligent answers. Thanks for all the work you do for America. Perhaps all is not yet lost.
Chatty Kathy is back
I saw something that struck me as absurd while in the food store this evening (but then this is just the way I am, I can't keep my mouth shut!) This guy, so perfect with his ever so toned yuppie body with a stupid Blue Tooth in his right ear, and he's taking oh so long to pick out his organic milk and veggies. I mumbled too myself a bit too loud "That's soo wrong" and he heard me! "What did you say?" "It's just wrong" "What Is?" he said. "You're so picky about your health aren't you?" He answered "Yes, I really try to live a clean life. So what did you mean when you said 'That's soo wrong'?" I couldn't believe he said that and I (Miss Nervy) was going to start talking to him. This poor fool didn't know what he walked into. "Well, the Blue Tooth doesn't go with your organic milk and your clean way of life," and I proceeded to tell him why. He showed me that he was one of the most ill-informed humans I have ever come across. He has them all beat. And I'm telling you, this took even me by surprise because he looked to be in his 30s and dressed in work-out clothes. I saw him in the parking lot gin a fairly new Honda Civic. I don't know why but this one really took me by surprise. I thought I had them down but I was fooled. He was unaware, a babe lost in the woods. Now my one neighbor who barely got out of grade school is piss poor, in his early 30s, rides a bike around town and to his job, walks his 8 year old daughter to school and reads everything you and I read on the internet thanks to buying a refurbished PC five years ago for a mere 150 bucks because he was so sick of the lousy lies on the TV news and local news papers (I did have a small hand in this). BTW He want's Jim Kirwan to run for President and me to run for Governor of New Jersey. LOL! This guy wasn't fooled about 9/11 for one minute! He grows his own vegetable garden and wouldn't dare talk on a cell phone for even a second. I dunno, for some reason I always expect hip-looking educated people like the chap in the food store to know what's going on and not want to accept the BS or be fooled. Boy am I wrong! You know the funny thing about this is that this jerk could have told me to go to hell and walked away at any time, but he stood there for fifteen minutes or longer and listened and kept asking me questions about websites where he could see evidence to back my WAY OUT CLAIMS! I went on to shopping and when I turned to get on line twenty minutes later he was getting on line right next to me. He saw me and hightailed it in the other direction. As he looked back to see if I was still there I said loud enough for him to hear, "Don't worry, I'm done talking!"
Killer Christmas
Moral of Oral
NOTE: The author, Adam Willard, shows up via Google as an actual alumni of ORU. This tends to corroborate his testimony, especially because his testimony is ... well ... I hope he has a crack squad of Blackwater mercenaries guarding him, and scanning under his car with a mirror every morning! I kind of liked this line from his article:
AND remember, let he who hath not ... oh fuckit, go ahead ... BUT personally, I suspect a Democratic hitman operative trying to discredit the GOP in this! I mean, c'mon! It makes no sense unless he had a gun pointed at his head
Secrecy, the warm fuzzy of the incompetent
The so called "Supreme Court" (neither a court or supreme anymore) has declared the obvious: government incompetence is a state secret.
Tail between our legs
How about slinking back home with our tail between our legs for starters. Truth is that this country does NOT know how to behave when it's not being arrogant, self-centered, egotistical and bullying.]
Sweetheart deal on self-opinion
Yes, sweetheart, I've replied to puff up my "self-opinion". Good job mistressing.
And now it's their turn
Oh I'm expecting exactly what you say... I've been a close witness to the very same thing happening with the marginal mortgage lending companies, essentially all of which are gone now... but the lacunae of bad debt have expanded up and out one level to the financiers of it all; and now it's their turn. Exact same thing. This simple comic illustrates it succinctly. I'm placing my bets accordingly.
Does Bush-Cheney purposely help al Qaeda?
This sort of thing has happened over and over and over again with the Bush Administration, since
Health care and horse dung
Now I'm am no fan of Insurance companies and would like to see those who rum them tortured along with bankers and lawyers until they become totally psychotic, if they are not already. But the whole idea that health care might wind up being determined by some Michelle Malkin type upper level manager who got the job politically gives me the willies. They are so convinced that everyone is going to rip off the system, that is except for their "bosom buddies" of course, that getting anything done becomes a major nightmare. National health is a great idea, if we can keep the wackos, wing nuts and control freaks out of it. Best solution is to do away with "for profit" health care and institute a government funded system where the health providers make the decisions without government interference. Something that ain't too likely.
Iraq for sale
Thou shalt not fly
How dare they fly near our beloved "Decider".
Mr and Mrs Non-White
To the point
Want to believe
The one silver lining in this is that the Senate only approved the money, and didn’t appropriate it yet. I’m not 100% sure I understand the difference, but apparently they have to do both before the money is actually used to kill more Iraqis. And the House, at least, is saying this week that they’re not going to appropriate the money without a withdrawal timetable. Which I really REALLY would like to believe, however unlikely it seems in light of their history on this issue …
Yes, it shouldn’t have taken courage, but it sort of did. Especially since his position could not be explained in a two-second sound bite.
Debunking vs. looking for solutions
The article discusses 3 issues The first solution the author presents that would end the creation of bubbles is “establishing a more democratic and equitable world financial paradigm” that would “make credit-creation less the private property of financiers and more in the nature of a public utility.” The way it is now we have monetary systems that create money “almost exclusively through debt” which has the effect of “funneling much of the world’s wealth from the hands of those who earn their living in the producing economy of goods and services into the bank accounts and investment funds of those who lend money at interest.” Thus, the more money lent the more the money lenders get back in interest. Clearly, beneath the surface the money lenders will be backing all efforts that increase their lending whether that includes wars or creating bubbles of various sorts which means that nothing involving peace and monetary stability will emerge in the world. Yes, this is another anti-US Federal Reserve system argument, but it is also a much better one since it includes a call to all countries with basically the same sort of system. As this article rightly indicates, this IS a world-wide problem requiring a world-wide solution. The other two problems of US militarism and lack of infrastructure to deal with the effects of global warming, require “calling off our military adventures and replacing them with new efforts and multilateral solutions” and “rebuilding our public and private infrastructure through low-cost government-provided credit.” The author also supports “a negotiated two-state solution for Israel and Palestine” and “a basic income guarantee, not tied to employment” provided to all citizens. The author concludes saying that “in just three months, in Iowa and New Hampshire, something profound and unprecedented must start to happen.” Clearly, he is indicating that there are a few candidates who would support the solutions he is offering. The problem is seeing that they get the support they need. As far as I can tell, the supporters of Ron Paul really ARE keeping on top of things and informing web sites such as Michael Rivero’s whatreallyhappened.com of what needs doing. Also, he now seems to be the only anti-war candidate really making headway. Please correct me if I am wrong. He also supports ending the Federal Reserve system and seeing that the US government is run as the constitution intended. Given these perilous times, I personally AM willing to overlook differences of opinion that I might not have in the past in order to get the US back on track.
Underground methods
You know, I contacted Indymedia and asked about silent, underground methods of protesting. I'll let you know what they say. Maybe people will be more responsive if they can do things "underground" without so much fear of detainment. The media needs to be brought down. After that it's a free for all.
Overwhelmed
This is the first time in over six years that I have gone totally silent and been uninterested in reading anything on this catastrophe that captivated me from the very first minutes I set my eyes on it. I don't mean to insult anyone or for that matter perplex any of you either. I'm trying to figure out why I've lost interest and lack any sort of concentration to absorb any of the new news and any of the 'redundant' news that any minute now THIS IS ABOUT HAPPEN and our lives will never be the same. Sometimes I find myself a little bit too eager for it to all to just HAPPEN ALREADY! It has become obvious to me that I have become Overwhelmed. Now I'm sure this will pass very soon and I'll go back to my usual self and continue to write more intriguing little essays, but for now I'm going to stay in a state of confusion. Several cans of paint that I've been avoiding all spring and summer are waiting for me to finally open them. The lady who found herself homeless last week is sharing a nice little apt with a lady who needed some company thanks to a woman I found here in my neighborhood they call Salvation Annie. That sure felt good to help someone! Hey don't worry, I will snap out of it soon. I just have to catch up. I'm still reading and appreciating every one's articles and emails.
Just between us I can't take it any more. I found myself weeping to no end quite a few times in the last month. Same horror show stories and my dead fellow country men and women outside our circle of internet friends just don't fucking get it!! Maybe I just need a break but let me tell you, Helen, it hasn't stopped. Leon and I just shake our heads when we go out There were Christmas trees for sale in the food store I went to today, and bigger and more ridiculous Halloween decorations on the morons' lawns already! Jeezus! Calgon take me away! Oh, I forgot
Just plain crazy and paranoid
Information that is available just about anywhere. Like a university chemistry book. This is just plain crazy and paranoid. Oh and I once had a copy of Abby Hoffman's "Steal this book" but somebody stole it. (No lie).
In other words, it's heading towards the dumper and we're sure to have a depression.
Translation : We're scr3wed.
Once the housing market totally dumps, every thing else will follow.
Both? All?
I believe we are both? all? doing good work here, I just wish it didn't feel like we're only preaching to the choir. Keep it up anyway and thanks for everything,
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