Excerpt: Tensions had, in fact, been building for months, with the threatened eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Smaller protests in the area, taking place at a steady clip for some time, grew larger. But even these details don’t capture the broader context. What is so important about Sheikh Jarrah, and why are Palestinian families being faced with eviction in the first place? As NBC News reported: “The expansion of Jewish settlements in Sheikh Jarrah, which is on land that helps form the final link in a settlement circle surrounding east Jerusalem—an area that Palestinians hope will be the capital of a future state.”
Israel, with Netanyahu at the helm, has been cruelly stoking this fire. And I am disgusted that President Biden seems to simply be siding with Israel. I hope that's just smoke and mirrors. We'll see where talks lead. Incase you need some catchup, the BBC has it all: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57131272
We are on the Palmetto, the train from Savannah to New York. There is a dining car, but food has to be consumed at one's seat. We are also supposed to wear masks. The stop in Yamassee, South Carolina was very brief. Rail travel has to be subsidized. Glad not to be driving.
Wow, Hannah, I hope there are some great views along the way. When I took the train from Edinburgh to London we saw cliffs and the sea as well as towns. What always intrigued me was that we also seemed to rumble through the back yards of the worst parts of the cities. I remember the sea the most as it was in the region from whence came my ancestors. Back in the day, the train from Burlington VT up to Montreal and back, mostly went through pastures. Once, we were compelled to halt for several hours until the train folks could locate the farmer to come and remove his wayward cow from the tracks. Always an adventure!
I assume you're fully vaccinated and it sounds like good precautions are in place. Enjoy!
In many places the railways were built through or in advance of economically healthy parts of cities, which later decayed as their economic bases did. On another note, the train running from Seward to Fairbanks is nicknamed the Moose Gooser. And the classical "cow catcher" on US locomotives might better [IMO] be called a "cowcaster" because it was designed to throw bovines (including buffalo) aside so they wouldn't derail the locomotive. Maybe the Burlington<-->Montreal train needed a combination fireman and cowperson! Which reminds me of the scene in "Blazing Saddles" where the undercover investigators are going through the interview process to join the new gang of bandits intended to terrorize the populace of the town. One of the undercover investigators steps up to the interviewer at the table and is asked what he has done (in the way of criminal activity). "Stampeded cattle," he says. Interviewer: "Stampeded cattle? Why, that's nothin'. Anybody can stampede cattle!" Applicant: "Through the Vatican?"
This is probably our last long trip since we are both in our 80s now. I took the train a number of times when the spouse was in NH and I did not want to drive by myself. The views are more spectatular driving south through the mountsins. The route along the coast is fairly flat, lots of marshes alternating with forest. Years ago I did make a little video but cannot seem to locate it on my Youtube page, Cyprespond. I noticed the other day that Youtube has added some ads to my videos, though I have not signed up for that. Accessed through Hannah Blog there are no ads.
My mother was prescribed oxycontin for persistent pain in about 1998. The selling point was that one pill would last 12 hours. It didn't. Moreover, when it wore off, there was a personality change. I reported to the doctor and that prescription was cancelled. What was successful was a mild muscle relaxant. Tight muscles pinch nerves and the nerves complain.
I was reading an article that said once cities get to about 60% vaccinated with at least one dose, their cases, hospital case loads and deaths all decline markedly. California has reached about 2/3 one dose or more. Our county has passed 50%, and the smaller and more rural county immediately to our north (where I will be taking a JC intermediate drawing course in the Fall) lags behind at somewhat less than 40%. The regional junior colleges (five campuses) will decide on their precautions on a campus by campus basis. I was surprised to learn that one of the campuses has dormitories to accommodate students whose homes are not nearby.
I have mentioned it before, but a good thing bears repeating. Folks hereabouts voted for a small sales tax increment to fund various transportation related things. Among other things funded, there is a taxi discount program. People 70 and older can purchase taxi coupons for 25% of face value. They can be used for tips as well as fares. I am surprised that not all taxi companies accept the coupons/scrip, but enough do.
Secret history: the warrior women who fought their enslavers [Click] “Historian Rebecca Hall works with a graphic artist in her new book to reclaim the stories of the female rebels on ships and plantations.” The format is not my cup of tea, but the story makes absolute sense and needs to be told.
Don’t Take the Narrow View of What’s Happening in Gaza; Wars and skirmishes don’t occur in a vacuum. [Click]
ReplyDeleteExcerpt: Tensions had, in fact, been building for months, with the threatened eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Smaller protests in the area, taking place at a steady clip for some time, grew larger. But even these details don’t capture the broader context. What is so important about Sheikh Jarrah, and why are Palestinian families being faced with eviction in the first place? As NBC News reported: “The expansion of Jewish settlements in Sheikh Jarrah, which is on land that helps form the final link in a settlement circle surrounding east Jerusalem—an area that Palestinians hope will be the capital of a future state.”
Israel, with Netanyahu at the helm, has been cruelly stoking this fire. And I am disgusted that President Biden seems to simply be siding with Israel. I hope that's just smoke and mirrors. We'll see where talks lead.
DeleteIncase you need some catchup, the BBC has it all:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57131272
“The smallest worm will turn being trodden on, And doves will peck in safeguard of their brood."
Delete—Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 3.
A Shakespeare quote is always apropos.
DeleteAyup; us highly sophisticated types groove on the Bard.
DeleteChanneling the vaccine-hesitant. . . [Click]
ReplyDeleteWe are on the Palmetto, the train from Savannah to New York. There is a dining car, but food has to be consumed at one's seat. We are also supposed to wear masks.
ReplyDeleteThe stop in Yamassee, South Carolina was very brief. Rail travel has to be subsidized. Glad not to be driving.
Wow, Hannah, I hope there are some great views along the way. When I took the train from Edinburgh to London we saw cliffs and the sea as well as towns. What always intrigued me was that we also seemed to rumble through the back yards of the worst parts of the cities. I remember the sea the most as it was in the region from whence came my ancestors.
DeleteBack in the day, the train from Burlington VT up to Montreal and back, mostly went through pastures. Once, we were compelled to halt for several hours until the train folks could locate the farmer to come and remove his wayward cow from the tracks. Always an adventure!
I assume you're fully vaccinated and it sounds like good precautions are in place. Enjoy!
In many places the railways were built through or in advance of economically healthy parts of cities, which later decayed as their economic bases did. On another note, the train running from Seward to Fairbanks is nicknamed the Moose Gooser. And the classical "cow catcher" on US locomotives might better [IMO] be called a "cowcaster" because it was designed to throw bovines (including buffalo) aside so they wouldn't derail the locomotive. Maybe the Burlington<-->Montreal train needed a combination fireman and cowperson! Which reminds me of the scene in "Blazing Saddles" where the undercover investigators are going through the interview process to join the new gang of bandits intended to terrorize the populace of the town. One of the undercover investigators steps up to the interviewer at the table and is asked what he has done (in the way of criminal activity). "Stampeded cattle," he says. Interviewer: "Stampeded cattle? Why, that's nothin'. Anybody can stampede cattle!" Applicant: "Through the Vatican?"
DeleteChange "fireman" to read "fireperson." I'm dating myself.
DeleteThis is probably our last long trip since we are both in our 80s now. I took the train a number of times when the spouse was in NH and I did not want to drive by myself. The views are more spectatular driving south through the mountsins. The route along the coast is fairly flat, lots of marshes alternating with forest. Years ago I did make a little video but cannot seem to locate it on my Youtube page, Cyprespond. I noticed the other day that Youtube has added some ads to my videos, though I have not signed up for that. Accessed through Hannah Blog there are no ads.
DeleteBig pharma executives mocked ‘pillbillies’ in emails, West Virginia opioid trial hears [Click] Sounds like somebody might be in a world of hurt.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was prescribed oxycontin for persistent pain in about 1998. The selling point was that one pill would last 12 hours. It didn't. Moreover, when it wore off, there was a personality change. I reported to the doctor and that prescription was cancelled. What was successful was a mild muscle relaxant. Tight muscles pinch nerves and the nerves complain.
DeleteWhat was the muscle relaxant, if you remember and don't mind satisfying my idle curiosity.
DeleteVT May 16th: 23,883-23,847 = 36
ReplyDeleteActive Cases:1611
Deaths:252(x5)
Recovered:22,020 (92.2%)
Hospital:10(+1) ICU:0(-1)
Tests:388,548(+409)
There is currently no one in Vermont in the ICU with Covid!
Also! No Covid cases in my town in a month!!
DeleteI was reading an article that said once cities get to about 60% vaccinated with at least one dose, their cases, hospital case loads and deaths all decline markedly. California has reached about 2/3 one dose or more. Our county has passed 50%, and the smaller and more rural county immediately to our north (where I will be taking a JC intermediate drawing course in the Fall) lags behind at somewhat less than 40%. The regional junior colleges (five campuses) will decide on their precautions on a campus by campus basis. I was surprised to learn that one of the campuses has dormitories to accommodate students whose homes are not nearby.
Delete‘A slap in the face’: California Uber and Lyft drivers criticize pay cuts under Prop 22 [Click] “Drivers cite reduction in mileage rates from LAX, a major source of rides, and say company stimulus packages are ‘traps’” Gee, what a surprise. As a matter of principle I do not patronize Uber or Lyft.
ReplyDeleteI have mentioned it before, but a good thing bears repeating. Folks hereabouts voted for a small sales tax increment to fund various transportation related things. Among other things funded, there is a taxi discount program. People 70 and older can purchase taxi coupons for 25% of face value. They can be used for tips as well as fares. I am surprised that not all taxi companies accept the coupons/scrip, but enough do.
DeleteWPo: Colonial shutdown shows how Americans pay the price of efficiency [Click] Redundancy does cost money—which eats into profits.
ReplyDeleteAlternate source for the story [Click]
Secret history: the warrior women who fought their enslavers [Click] “Historian Rebecca Hall works with a graphic artist in her new book to reclaim the stories of the female rebels on ships and plantations.” The format is not my cup of tea, but the story makes absolute sense and needs to be told.
ReplyDeleteYes, it does need to be told. We owe those women a debt of gratitude.
DeleteThe secret of how Amundsen beat Scott in race to south pole? A diet of raw penguin [Click] “Starving and trapped by ice, the Norwegian’s crew had discovered how to beat scurvy on an earlier voyage. The benefits proved crucial”
ReplyDeleteJust one more reason to love nurses!
ReplyDeleteLargest nurses' union in the country says it doesn't support the CDC's latest decision about masks
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/largest-nurses-union-in-the-country-says-it-doesnt-support-the-cdcs-latest-decision-about-masks/509-6b3ef2a7-13b1-454a-9bbe-2b6d34bca1e0
Put me down with the National Nurses Newnited.
Delete