Awww, thanks! I have neglected to mention that immediately off the porch is a birdhouse currently occupied by Chickadees and their chicks! It's their second brood this season in the birdhouse. Also, Hummingbirds frequent the two hanging baskets on the porch, so that space is basically Birdlandia! We have set a small bench across the opening, so that the mail lady remembers not to walk up onto the porch with packages.
The weather prediction seems to indicate that tomorrow the high temperature will drop to or slightly below 100F, and stay there for a week or more. We plan to begin our attack on the weeds tomorrow. ---Alan
At last! We're expecting some relief too (if the wildfire smoke doesn't worsen). Instead of steamy upper 80's we're expecting upper 60s for a few days next week! I can hardly wait!!!
My father failed to vote in a single election---Nov. 5th, 1940, the day my brother (his first child) was born. Absentee voting was rare in those days. So far I have voted in every election for which I was eligible. I read every year around the holidays about severe differences of opinions between generations over and around dinner; Fortunately no such problems in our family (which now is reduced to two generations).
I'm pretty sure my parents always voted. I remember them voting for JFK. We've always voted and our 5 kids do too. Plus, as mentioned, the 8 grands are coming along. Definitely happy to see we've engendered 13 non-Republicans!
As I think on it...all the gerrymandering and squeezing of election laws won't be enough to counter the wave of young people on the cusp of voting. It will probably skew results for a few elections, but the kids are gonna win. Time is on their side.
I didn't vote in my first election, 1960, partially because I would have had to vote from Illinois, where I had been drafted, and I knew that when released from active duty I would be joining my mother in California. Plus, being stationed in Korea, I didn't feel I had good access to election information.
Top 10 books by neglected female thinkers [Click] “You might not hear much about it if you study philosophy, but this rich intellectual tradition is centuries old and often more open to the mess of life than its male counterpart.”
This led me to the Wikipedia article onBeguines [Click] whom I had not heard of before.
Very interesting collection. I had, of course, heard of Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly, author of Frankenstein. I would add to the collection Teresa of Avila...though she is now well known. But in her own day she was all but ignored by the male church authorities. She managed to get her works published, despite being a woman and saying "outrageous" things. And that is because she was so much more clever than those men. She simply began her efforts suggesting that they pay no attention to her, as she is "only a woman." For that reason, her works passed through the male censors and were published.
Nor I. Haven't read the details, but suppose it was one of those very tall cranes that lifts itself up and up as the building climbs, and that a diesel engine would be a practical power source; the fuel tank could catch fire. Will investigate. ----Alan
Russia is running out of soldiers. They have just raised the age of conscription from 27 to 30. Soon there will be no Russian men in their late teens and 20s. How can this be happening in the 21st century? We need to stop giving too much power to one or two insane people. When will we ever learn?
If Mitch McConnell could no longer serve, does it follow that the minority whip would take his place? If so, that would be John Thune, R-SD. Argh! But don't they have to have a party vote?
The DOJ is going to have egg on its face. They were going to have the judge determine whether he complied with the conditions of the deferred prosecution on the gun charge and the judge said that was outside her purview. So, Biden pleaded not guilty and they will have to prepare for trial. FWIW, I think the whole arrangement of having prosecutors conduct investigations and then negotiate pleas violates the separation of powers principle. That the DOJ has developed policies is also not kosher. Prosecutors enjoy absolute immunity (no appeal from their decisions) because they were not intended to make decisions. The position is ministerial, like the VP opening electoral college votes. In 2009, the DOJ argued "there is no right not to be framed by a prosecutor."
Clickified. Pretty good graphs. One thing not mentioned about California voting is that unaffiliated voters can vote in the Democratic primary but not the Republican one. (It is so quick and easy to change one’s registration online that I sometimes re-register as a Democrat to vote in their primary, then back to Green to help keep them on the ballot.) ——Alan
The one thing “Oppenheimer” gets wrong [Click] Two things, actually, but that’s pretty accurate for a movie. I wonder if younger people actually need to see this movie; but maybe they haven't known much about the story. Incidentally, the development and production of the proximity fuse was more expensive than that of the atom bomb, and the secrecy around it was better maintained. ——Alan
US conducted ‘multi-decade’ secret UFO program, ex-intelligence official says. [Click] “Whistleblower David Grusch claims ‘non-human’ beings found as issue of alien life receives highest-profile airing before US Congress.” A big nothingburger IMO. I see remains of non-human beings on the road almost every day— sailcats and dead possums mostly, squirrels, etc. Absence of proof is not proof of an effective cover-up. —Alan
From the summary listener linked to above: "But after more than two and half hours of testimony, it’s probably fair to say exactly what is now known that was previously unknown, is not known." [grin] ---Alan
ReplyDeleteToo cute to be legal!
xox puddle~~
And on the front porch-- which is recognition that the residents of the house are good people.
Delete-----Alan
Awww, thanks!
DeleteI have neglected to mention that immediately off the porch is a birdhouse currently occupied by Chickadees and their chicks! It's their second brood this season in the birdhouse. Also, Hummingbirds frequent the two hanging baskets on the porch, so that space is basically Birdlandia! We have set a small bench across the opening, so that the mail lady remembers not to walk up onto the porch with packages.
Giuliani concedes he made defamatory statements about Georgia election workers [Click] I would say that he is still trying to weasel out of the consequences, but gratuitous defamation of weasels by comparing them to Giuliani would be in poor taste.
ReplyDelete—-Alan
The weather prediction seems to indicate that tomorrow the high temperature will drop to or slightly below 100F, and stay there for a week or more. We plan to begin our attack on the weeds tomorrow.
ReplyDelete---Alan
At last!
DeleteWe're expecting some relief too (if the wildfire smoke doesn't worsen). Instead of steamy upper 80's we're expecting upper 60s for a few days next week! I can hardly wait!!!
Young Voters Shift Sharply Left [Click] One survey; good if true, but will they vote? Stay tuned.
ReplyDelete—Alan
YEAH!! The grandchildren are going to change the world!
DeleteAnd the eldest will be able to vote in the 2024 election. It begins! Ha!
My father failed to vote in a single election---Nov. 5th, 1940, the day my brother (his first child) was born. Absentee voting was rare in those days. So far I have voted in every election for which I was eligible. I read every year around the holidays about severe differences of opinions between generations over and around dinner; Fortunately no such problems in our family (which now is reduced to two generations).
DeleteI'm pretty sure my parents always voted. I remember them voting for JFK. We've always voted and our 5 kids do too. Plus, as mentioned, the 8 grands are coming along. Definitely happy to see we've engendered 13 non-Republicans!
DeleteAs I think on it...all the gerrymandering and squeezing of election laws won't be enough to counter the wave of young people on the cusp of voting. It will probably skew results for a few elections, but the kids are gonna win. Time is on their side.
DeleteI didn't vote in my first election, 1960, partially because I would have had to vote from Illinois, where I had been drafted, and I knew that when released from active duty I would be joining my mother in California. Plus, being stationed in Korea, I didn't feel I had good access to election information.
DeleteYou are foregiven, Bill. [grin]
Delete^^^^ Alan
DeleteFTC readies lawsuit that could break up Amazon [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Top 10 books by neglected female thinkers [Click] “You might not hear much about it if you study philosophy, but this rich intellectual tradition is centuries old and often more open to the mess of life than its male counterpart.”
ReplyDeleteThis led me to the Wikipedia article onBeguines [Click] whom I had not heard of before.
——Alan
Very interesting collection. I had, of course, heard of Mary Wollstonecraft, mother of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly, author of Frankenstein. I would add to the collection Teresa of Avila...though she is now well known. But in her own day she was all but ignored by the male church authorities. She managed to get her works published, despite being a woman and saying "outrageous" things. And that is because she was so much more clever than those men. She simply began her efforts suggesting that they pay no attention to her, as she is "only a woman." For that reason, her works passed through the male censors and were published.
DeleteCalifornia shores up beaver protection in nod to their ‘ecological benefit’ [Click] I hope this does not lead to an upsurge in cases of giardiasis [AKA “beaver fever”]; but it seems to be far more common and widespread than I had realized.
ReplyDelete—Alan
Third associate of Steve Bannon sentenced to 63 months in prison for border wall scheme
ReplyDeleteHouse panel holds public hearing on UFOs
ReplyDeleteThis was a livestream. But, so far at least, you can restart it.
I will be quite satisfied with the Reader's Digest condensed version. [The reference probably betrays my age.]
Delete----Alan
Here you go, Alan:
DeleteClaims of alien bodies and secret crash sites probed by Congress
6 injured in New York City crane collapse, FDNY says
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever heard of a crane catching fire.
Nor I. Haven't read the details, but suppose it was one of those very tall cranes that lifts itself up and up as the building climbs, and that a diesel engine would be a practical power source; the fuel tank could catch fire. Will investigate.
Delete----Alan
Yes, the engine near the top of the crane caught fire.
Delete----Alan
Ukrainians Liberate 2 Towns on the eastern front. Russian general sacked. [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
May Ukraine be freed soon.
DeleteWar sucks.
Russia is running out of soldiers. They have just raised the age of conscription from 27 to 30. Soon there will be no Russian men in their late teens and 20s. How can this be happening in the 21st century? We need to stop giving too much power to one or two insane people. When will we ever learn?
DeleteMcConnell says he’s ‘fine’ after freezing during news conference
ReplyDeleteI started to wonder if he were having a stroke.
If Mitch McConnell could no longer serve, does it follow that the minority whip would take his place?
DeleteIf so, that would be John Thune, R-SD. Argh! But don't they have to have a party vote?
The DOJ is going to have egg on its face. They were going to have the judge determine whether he complied with the conditions of the deferred prosecution on the gun charge and the judge said that was outside her purview. So, Biden pleaded not guilty and they will have to prepare for trial.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I think the whole arrangement of having prosecutors conduct investigations and then negotiate pleas violates the separation of powers principle. That the DOJ has developed policies is also not kosher. Prosecutors enjoy absolute immunity (no appeal from their decisions) because they were not intended to make decisions. The position is ministerial, like the VP opening electoral college votes. In 2009, the DOJ argued "there is no right not to be framed by a prosecutor."
https://digbysblog.net/2023/07/26/swing-to-the-left/
ReplyDeleteLooks like the kids are gonna vote. . . .
puddle~~
Clickified. Pretty good graphs. One thing not mentioned about California voting is that unaffiliated voters can vote in the Democratic primary but not the Republican one. (It is so quick and easy to change one’s registration online that I sometimes re-register as a Democrat to vote in their primary, then back to Green to help keep them on the ballot.)
Delete——Alan
That helps to [sort of] make sense of the headlines. Thanks, Hannah.
ReplyDelete----Alan
The one thing “Oppenheimer” gets wrong [Click] Two things, actually, but that’s pretty accurate for a movie. I wonder if younger people actually need to see this movie; but maybe they haven't known much about the story. Incidentally, the development and production of the proximity fuse was more expensive than that of the atom bomb, and the secrecy around it was better maintained.
ReplyDelete——Alan
Well, it seems I haven't missed much of anything related to the indictment watch; now to check on the UFO watch.
ReplyDelete----Alan
US conducted ‘multi-decade’ secret UFO program, ex-intelligence official says. [Click] “Whistleblower David Grusch claims ‘non-human’ beings found as issue of alien life receives highest-profile airing before US Congress.” A big nothingburger IMO. I see remains of non-human beings on the road almost every day— sailcats and dead possums mostly, squirrels, etc. Absence of proof is not proof of an effective cover-up.
Delete—Alan
From the summary listener linked to above:
Delete"But after more than two and half hours of testimony, it’s probably fair to say exactly what is now known that was previously unknown, is not known." [grin]
---Alan
The rebel group stopping self-driving cars in their tracks – one cone at a time [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
I just saw a trailer for the movie "Barbie" that is a spoof of "2001, A Space Odyssey." Really, really fine!
ReplyDelete---Alan