With the discovery that Army Lt. William L. Calley, Jr., the only U.S. service member convicted in the My Lai massacre in Vietnam in 1968, died at the age of 80 back in the April without public notice, let me draw your attention to one of the few heroes of that horrific day.
Hugh Thompson was an Army helicopter pilot who along with his two crew members intervened to stop the massacre, positioning his chopper between Vietnamese civilians and advancing U.S. troops. He was able to rescue some civilians and reported the massacre up the chain of command, which eventually led to the operation being halted. He later testified at Calley’s court-martial. After his military career ended, Thompson wound up living for a time in my hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, flying helicopters for the offshore oil and gas industry. It wasn’t until the 1990s, around the 30th anniversary of the massacre, that Thompson garnered recognition for his exemplary conduct on that black day in U.S. military history. He died of cancer in 2006 at the age of 62. -----Alan
Robert Reich: Kamala Harris is the worst nightmare of America’s far right [Click] “When Joe Biden stepped down in support of Kamala Harris, he didn’t just pass the torch to another generation. He passed it from old white men to America’s future . . . The power shift has already started.” ——Alan
I rather liked Heather Cox Richardson's version of that sentiment. Joe Biden didn't pass the torch to Harris, he passed it to us. Reich has Biden passing the torch to the future, bypassing us. I find I don't like being suddenly considered passe and out of the loop. I think that's why I appreciate being part of the page "Cat Ladies for Kamala Harris." We're all welcome on that page, including the catless and the men.
Reuters: Harris and her VP pick will tour battleground states next week [Click] One of the common roles for VP has historically been to be more assertive than the President—an attack dog, if you will. I figure there is room for such a role under Harris, and suspect her choice will be someone who was actively campaigning for the Biden/Harris ticket. Well, we will see soon enough. —Alan
Via politicalwire.com: New York Times: “Aides to Ms. Harris are penciling in travel for the new Democratic ticket beginning next Tuesday and running through Friday.”
“The draft travel schedule suggests that Ms. Harris will name her running mate no later than next Tuesday, earlier than the deadline on Aug. 7 that her campaign set last week to have the vice-presidential nominee in place.”
The Enthusiasm Is Real [Click] An amazing amount of Harris’s contributions is from first-time donors. ——Alan (Who is wondering at the moment if Harris can and will make a VP pick that will increase enthusiasm for her ticket? That would be quite an accomplishment, but at this point I won't rule it out.)
That's true! Did you see the footage of Jesse Watters? He said the most idiotic thing I've heard in a while: If they're going to accuse Vance of having sex with a couch, "they'd better have video!"
To your point, Alan, I'm worried sick about the VP choice. She has such broad support, and she needs it all. She can't pick someone who, for instance, only appeals to Progressives, as that would turn off everyone else. I know she's a smart and savvy lady, but this whole thing, as wonderful as it is, seems to me on a knife edge.
Shouldn't the rest of the world be doing something... That is, wouldn't the collapse of Russia as a functioning nation cause financial, political and other problems across Europe and beyond? So, wouldn't it be in Europe's and America's best interest, for instance, to encourage whatever democratic movements there may be within Russia and in the emigre/expat community, preparing for a post-Putin Russia, rather than sitting back and smirking as Putin finds his country crumbling around him?
Russia's national wealth fund is money saved to pay for things similar to US Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, etc. I think about half of it has been used so far to fund the war on Ukraine. It is unclear, but sabotage organizations do seem to be active in Russia.
Nominal GDP’s, descending (per IMF— other lists vary): USA, China, Germany, Japan, California, India, UK, France, Texas, Brazil, Italy, Canada, RUSSIA, New York and Mexico. [Last three are virtually identical.]
So far world trade networks have pretty much adjusted to the loss of Russia’s oil, gas, and bauxite (aluminum ore). Russia’s “ghost fleet” of decrepit oil tankers is being eliminated, as are payments for Russian exports to India and China. The Ruble is virtually extinct as an international currency. Russian food exports have decreased greatly; there has been bad weather, and their grain production depended on imported seed. Inflation is pretty bad, and could become disastrous. In short, total collapse of Russian trade with the rest of the world wouldn't make much difference now. -----Alan
The previous time Russian oil production was cut back seriously, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it took about 30 years (plus lots of foreign expertise and money) to restore it. The pipelines require both maintenance and continual use. -----Alan
And all because of one madman allowed to stay at the helm. Can't help but think the whole world is rooting for the USA to elect Harris and reject the felon. It could cheer up everything. I'd like to see the change quell the war in Ukraine at last and free the Russian people too.
From Talking Points Memo: [Click]
ReplyDeleteRemembering The My Lai Massacre
With the discovery that Army Lt. William L. Calley, Jr., the only U.S. service member convicted in the My Lai massacre in Vietnam in 1968, died at the age of 80 back in the April without public notice, let me draw your attention to one of the few heroes of that horrific day.
Hugh Thompson was an Army helicopter pilot who along with his two crew members intervened to stop the massacre, positioning his chopper between Vietnamese civilians and advancing U.S. troops. He was able to rescue some civilians and reported the massacre up the chain of command, which eventually led to the operation being halted. He later testified at Calley’s court-martial.
After his military career ended, Thompson wound up living for a time in my hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, flying helicopters for the offshore oil and gas industry. It wasn’t until the 1990s, around the 30th anniversary of the massacre, that Thompson garnered recognition for his exemplary conduct on that black day in U.S. military history. He died of cancer in 2006 at the age of 62.
-----Alan
Isn't that always the way? The good die young and terribly while the evil live on and on. Calley should have been shot once he was convicted..
DeleteRobert Reich: Kamala Harris is the worst nightmare of America’s far right [Click] “When Joe Biden stepped down in support of Kamala Harris, he didn’t just pass the torch to another generation. He passed it from old white men to America’s future . . . The power shift has already started.”
ReplyDelete——Alan
I rather liked Heather Cox Richardson's version of that sentiment. Joe Biden didn't pass the torch to Harris, he passed it to us. Reich has Biden passing the torch to the future, bypassing us. I find I don't like being suddenly considered passe and out of the loop. I think that's why I appreciate being part of the page "Cat Ladies for Kamala Harris." We're all welcome on that page, including the catless and the men.
DeleteReuters: Harris and her VP pick will tour battleground states next week [Click] One of the common roles for VP has historically been to be more assertive than the President—an attack dog, if you will. I figure there is room for such a role under Harris, and suspect her choice will be someone who was actively campaigning for the Biden/Harris ticket. Well, we will see soon enough.
ReplyDelete—Alan
Via politicalwire.com:
DeleteNew York Times: “Aides to Ms. Harris are penciling in travel for the new Democratic ticket beginning next Tuesday and running through Friday.”
“The draft travel schedule suggests that Ms. Harris will name her running mate no later than next Tuesday, earlier than the deadline on Aug. 7 that her campaign set last week to have the vice-presidential nominee in place.”
My money is on Mark Kelly. He's an astronaut, which makes him a hero, and people love heroes. --nordy
DeleteIt's also posible to note that his wife was a victim of gun violence.
DeleteYes, and he showed her exemplary support after that happened. --nordy
DeleteThe Enthusiasm Is Real [Click] An amazing amount of Harris’s contributions is from first-time donors.
ReplyDelete——Alan (Who is wondering at the moment if Harris can and will make a VP pick that will increase enthusiasm for her ticket? That would be quite an accomplishment, but at this point I won't rule it out.)
Anyone remotely normal will be quite a contrast with Vance.
Delete----Alan
That's true! Did you see the footage of Jesse Watters? He said the most idiotic thing I've heard in a while: If they're going to accuse Vance of having sex with a couch, "they'd better have video!"
DeleteTo your point, Alan, I'm worried sick about the VP choice. She has such broad support, and she needs it all. She can't pick someone who, for instance, only appeals to Progressives, as that would turn off everyone else. I know she's a smart and savvy lady, but this whole thing, as wonderful as it is, seems to me on a knife edge.
ANY of them would be excellent compared with Vance! I think we'll be fine.
DeleteJoe Blogs video: Russian Economy Crumbling - 8 European Finance Ministers Say Russia is Damaged & Being Re-Sovietized [Click] Another video will be coming before long on the looting [my choice of word] of the Russian national wealth fund, which pays for pensions, health care, etc.
ReplyDelete——Alan
Sovereign wealth fund?
DeleteShouldn't the rest of the world be doing something... That is, wouldn't the collapse of Russia as a functioning nation cause financial, political and other problems across Europe and beyond? So, wouldn't it be in Europe's and America's best interest, for instance, to encourage whatever democratic movements there may be within Russia and in the emigre/expat community, preparing for a post-Putin Russia, rather than sitting back and smirking as Putin finds his country crumbling around him?
DeleteRussia's national wealth fund is money saved to pay for things similar to US Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid, etc. I think about half of it has been used so far to fund the war on Ukraine. It is unclear, but sabotage organizations do seem to be active in Russia.
DeleteNominal GDP’s, descending (per IMF— other lists vary):
USA, China, Germany, Japan, California, India, UK, France, Texas, Brazil, Italy, Canada, RUSSIA, New York and Mexico. [Last three are virtually identical.]
So far world trade networks have pretty much adjusted to the loss of Russia’s oil, gas, and bauxite (aluminum ore). Russia’s “ghost fleet” of decrepit oil tankers is being eliminated, as are payments for Russian exports to India and China. The Ruble is virtually extinct as an international currency. Russian food exports have decreased greatly; there has been bad weather, and their grain production depended on imported seed. Inflation is pretty bad, and could become disastrous.
In short, total collapse of Russian trade with the rest of the world wouldn't make much difference now.
-----Alan
Oh, and Russian arms exports are no more.
Delete-----Alan
The previous time Russian oil production was cut back seriously, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it took about 30 years (plus lots of foreign expertise and money) to restore it. The pipelines require both maintenance and continual use.
Delete-----Alan
And all because of one madman allowed to stay at the helm.
DeleteCan't help but think the whole world is rooting for the USA to elect Harris and reject the felon.
It could cheer up everything. I'd like to see the change quell the war in Ukraine at last and free the Russian people too.
Anton Petrov Video: Gallium Anomaly Hints at New Physics After 35 Years of Experiments [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Just approved for membership in Cat Ladies for Kamala Harris. --nordy
ReplyDeleteCongrats!
DeleteWelcome aboard, nordy! That page on Facebook is a barrel of laughs and so encouraging!
DeleteI thought of Honkeys for Harris, but that is probably not in good taste.
Delete------Alan