Open Thread August 14 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 142026
 

Yesterday, the CPR newsletter headline must have been written by Captain Obvious. It read “Drought dries up rivers.” I’m not complaining – I’m well aware how quickly the obvious can get lost, especially when people have strong feelings. As I do about this. A sweet little mountain town whixh leans heavily on tourism is being destroyed. And it doesn’t stop there. The river in question formerly continued on and fed into the Huerfano River, which in turn (I think still, but less) feeds into the Arkansas River, which provides water for the eastern half of the state, where the agriculture is.

From Colorado Public Radio. Weld County is roughly in the northeast corner of Colorado. It is at least ruby red – possibly garnet red. The corporation involved in this venture has no permits – and doesn’t appear to give a f*ck. The parts of Colorado east of I25 don’t get wildfires like the western part, I think mostly because they are low on trees, but they are by no means immune to drought. I think I wrote about the time – which must be more that six years ago, when I had to drive across half the state to see Virgil, I saw a nominal river (more like a creek really) actually burn up before my eyes. Seeing a creek in flames is an experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone. And as far as I know, the creek died in the fire. I never saw water come back to it.None of Colorado’s rivers is as healthy as it was when I came tp the state in 1976, and I’m pretty sure they were already unhealthy then – because our history reports memorable floods before that year, and I know of none afterwards. The last thing Weld County – or any county in Colorado – needs is a data center.

Referred by VoteVets, specifically General Eaton. He sends a daily “Four Star” which includes 4 links to short summaries of news articles regarding the armed forcea. This one has Kegsbreath’s fingerprints all over it.

All I need to say about this article by Robert Reich is “AMEN!”

The cruelty really is the point.

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Open Thread August 13 2026

 Posted by at 5:59 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 132026
 

Yesterday, I was pretty well swamped by news. The one which stood out was the Mango Monster hiding in the catering cart, which happened what, a month ago and is just now coming out? Several were talking about that. I tried to find some less obvious news which was still important or at least noteworthy.

From Talking Points Memo. The word “overreach” doesn’t, I think, sound as scary as it can be when the overreacher is unscrupulous. And unscrupulous is what we have.

From the AP. I posted the well-wishing opportunity yesterday(ICYMI). JoJo from Jerz has her own take, which I’ll post on a slow day with a hanky alert.

Robert Reich. I’ve always thought that the Luddites had very solid points. Not that I would argue in favor of their tactics – but those tactics were the only ones available to them at the time

From Phil Williams of “Confront the Hate. So much is going on, I feel compelled to post 4 a day until (unless?) things settle down.

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Open Thread August 12 2026

 Posted by at 5:47 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 122026
 

Yesterday, I signed this. It’s not a petition. It’s a get well (or at least feel better) card. I’m not trying to pressure anyone to sign it – only to make it available in case anyone wants to. And then there was this (archived from WaPo. Someone’s been reading too many Tom Clancy novels. Amd, after that, there was this. Not surprising, I’m sure.

This is what I’ve been thinking – now is not the time.

(From the Atlanta Black Star) I would expect something like this to happen in Louisiana or Mississippi – not in California – nor even in Los Angeles (where I might expect no action ay all.) Ihave no woeds (that are printable.

There’s a lot in and around this Brennan Center newsletterContains several topics. The main one titled “Americans Can Vote Without Fear” I though might be encourahing, being reality based (although that might depend to some degree on who your Xecretary of State is.)

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Open Thread August 10 2026

 Posted by at 6:01 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 102026
 

Yesterday, I saw Virgil and we did not play crivvagw – or anyhing else.Before I go into why not, I first want to assure you that have no injuries – not even a broken fingernail or atint scratch – anthe car has only one shallow dent – no scratches and the pain iis intact – and you have to look a it in the right light in order to see it. When I got to the grounds of the state hospital, which the prison Virgl is in is located, the main entrance was blocked with cones and there was a detour sign. I followed the detour, looking for a second sign and not finding it, but knowing there was an entrance on 17th Street (the main one is on 13th) I must have miscounted, because I didn’t see another detour sign at what I thought was 17th St which I turned on to. Considerinh how unpredictable the streets are on the grounds, I didn’t immediately eliminate a dirt road as a possible entrance, and tried one – It rose up to a little hill, which dropped, so I knew that wasn’t right, so I started to back out (I did’t want to atemt to turn around so close to a drop off.) Backing is harder than going forward, and I got too far to the left, and too close to a side slope. When I tried to get out, the the car tilted and rested on a group of Chinese elm saplings (everyone here calls them Chinese; I think theu are more likely Siverian, but I don’t argue.) It happened so fast, and so softly, I was pretty sure there wasn’t much damage to the car, and I knew there was none to me. I tried to call USAA since I have coverage, but they wanted me to access a sifferent website, and I don’t have internet access on my phone, so I called 911 (USAA’s advice if they could’nt help.) Ittook the fire department, the police department, USAA (which the police dispatcher called with a smartphone) to get both me and the car out, but they did. One of the officers called the prison to see what was the latest I would be allowed to enter, which was 2:30. I got there at 2:29. So I didn’t get playing cards out. But at least I was able to see him. And next time (and probably for months), it will be easier. I’m sure that’s more than anyone wanted to know.

Dude has been in prison longer than I’ve been married (counting pre-trial detention, which does count as time served – at least, anywhere civilized.) I could rant for quite some time about this, but I’ll spare you – and myself.

Several days old now, and WaPo (which is paywalled) is still the only place I have seen it. The Guardian probably has it though. (A couple of days after this came out, Faithful America did send an email referencing it.)

This (from AP referred by Allison Gill) is outrageous. I don’t think spouses of military who are not citizens should automatically be granted citizenship, but I do think they should automatically be granted legal residence. (if they turn out to be a spy, it can be rescinded.)

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Open Thread August 9 2026

 Posted by at 5:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 092026
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was Pelléas and Mélisande by Debussy = the only opera he ever finished. The plot is basically Tristan und Isolde without the love potion, and so steeped in turn-of-the-20th-century symbolism that it’s tricky to follow – a listener just needs to go with the flow. The libretto is from a play by Maurice Maeterlink – who was pissed off that his girl freind was not cast as Mélisande ay the premiere that he didn’t see it until agfter Debussy died, at which time he said, “In this affair I was entirely wrong and he was a thousand times right.” As a listener/viewer, I would say this quote from Wikipedia nails it: “The deliberate vagueness of the story is paralleled by the elusiveness of Debussy’s music.” Off to see Virgil now. Will check in upon return.

Archived from abc news because theirs only stay up for a while and I need to spread them out to avoid running short.

I am impressed. I did know that birds – particylarly columbids (which includes pigeons) and corvids (crows and ravens), but a bird knowing, first, the it needs oxygen, and second, that it could get some from the right humans, andthird, that these were the right humans -that’s quite a feat.

From GOODGOODGOOD. Just look at all the volunteers it took to make this happen.

Here’s a link to the GIF at the bottom, since it isn’t GIFing: https://martiniambassador.substack.com/p/baby-okapi-is-okie-dokie

These Grannies are from Charlotte (I assume NC.)

 

 

 

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Open Thread August 8 2026

 Posted by at 5:49 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 082026
 

Yesterday, I got up an hour earlier than I ever do, even for the opera, in case I had to call several locksmiths. I didn’t. First one I called had the capability, and within just over an hour I had a replacement. It’s two separate keys for now – one for the ignition and one for the doors – but they work, and when the ones with the fob come Tuesday, I now have the pattern. I nope this and the first short take help make up a little for the depression of the second and third short takes. Ph, and remember the two Justins in Tennessee who were kicked out ofthe state house for being Democrats (and eventualy reinstated)? I justheard from one of them, Justin Pearson, who just won his primary for US Congress. Thesubject line was “This victory belongs to you.”

Standing Room Only is another newsletter tha has several sections. I’m posting the link today because of the second one, “Main Stage.” Of course you can read as much or as little as you want. But the main stage section is something I have often thought. Colorado’s primary for our next governor also demonstrates Amanda’s point.

From The Conversation. I was aware that this was happening – you may also have been – but not of the “excruciating details.” And even the bare bones of it are not geting enough media attention. World War II is a historical example of why crimes against humanity need to be publicized and get attention. I and many others cringe to this day remembering the Shoah. We can’t change that. But this is happening now and there are things we can do.

From ite Drop Site News. Something else which is not getting enough visibility – and you can probably see why – it’s depressing. And not a good look for Israel. But it needs to be known just as much as the treaties in place need to be known about.

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Open Thread August 7 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 072026
 

Yesterday, I found a taxi service that would and could get me to the clinic and home. To the clinic went great. From was a bit tougher – I didn’t get home until five – but I did get home safe and sound. It’s called “Go Go Grandparent” and it requirea minimum technology – no apps. And it costs very litle more than the last taxi I used before there was Uber. (In fact, if I remembered what year it was I last used a taxi and adjusted that cost for inflation, GGG might turn out to be less.

This from All Rise News is interesting – not least because of the reason the Apricot Antichrist wanted Hearn’s charges to be dismissed without prejudice. I’m not inside his head – but I think it’s because he needs enemies (or believes he does) to get what’s left of his base fired up and voting.
– all three topics. There’s a photo from above of the Zorro Ranch (and you thought Trump** had bad taste!)

I don’t really need to comment on this Morning Memo story from TPM. The title alone pretty much says it all. And, as always, it’s not the only story.)

Even in fraud, Democrats are morally superior to Republicans. We used the carrot, they used the stick. (JK.) As long as I have been working elections, this could not have happened, so at least we as a state did something about it.

2fer

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