It has been a fairly relaxing day, although most of it has been spent at the computer working on Friday's and Saturday's articles. That means tonnes of reading and other research. Tomorrow I have physio, closely followed by teaching ESL so time is short. Thanks to Lona for the supply of cat naps to which I avail myself from time to time.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:23). To do it, click here. How did you do? For those that don't know, we always do the 48 piece classic.
Upworthy — h/t JL — Cats. We love them, but do they love us? We may never know. But there's one thing we know … cats hate patriarchy.
If you've ever tried to make a cat live up to your expectations of cat behavior, you probably already know this. They despise ALL systems of unequal power and expectations. Cats are over patriarchy.
Of course cats are so over patriarchy! Check it out. They are fully into catriarchy!
The New Yorker — After the stunning ISIS blitz in June, 2014, that captured tremendous territory in Syria and Iraq, Washington employed a so-called “Iraq First” strategy. The U.S.-led coalition committed to using air power to contain ISIS in Syria but gave preference to restoring Iraqi sovereignty. Priorities are now shifting, as Syria’s war spreads across continents. The United States would like to replicate the success of the Iran nuclear deal to press for coöperation among China, Russia, Iran, and the European powers, while also enlisting Turkey and the Arab countries that are heavily invested in Syria’s future. At the U.N., on Wednesday, Kerry warned Russia against striking targets beyond ISIS or Al Qaeda’s local affiliate. But, Kerry told the Security Council, “The United States supports any genuine effort to fight ISIL and Al Qaeda affiliated groups, especially Al Nusra.” If Russia has a “genuine commitment” to defeat ISIS, he said, “we welcome that effort” and will work to “deconflict” the respective American and Russian air campaigns in Syria. The bigger question is whether Iran’s interest in coöperation was maxed out with the nuclear deal—or whether old enemies could become unlikely partners in determining Syria’s future.
As said in The Nation "Similarly, each of Kissinger’s Middle East initiatives has been disastrous in the long run. Just think about them from the vantage point of 2015: … emboldening Pakistan’s intelligence service, nurturing Islamic fundamentalism, playing Iran and the Kurds off against Iraq, and then Iraq and Iran off against the Kurds, and committing Washington to defending Israel’s occupation of Arab lands."
Will Iran coöperate on Syria? It is hard to say. Russia is backing Assad and bombing Syrian rebel forces which also include ISIS fighters. As well, Russia has supplied weapons and materiel to Iran. But the US has nurtured Islamic fundamentalism which it now wants to defeat. It seems that the various countries are doing what is right for them while ignoring the people of Syria.
Huffington Post — Ray Halbritter, representative of the Oneida Indian Nation and an occasional Huffington Post blogger, says that instead, Snyder and other supporters of these names and mascots are denying Native Americans a simple request to be seen as equals in the eyes of their non-Native peers.
"They're so desensitized, they think Indian people are not real people; our children and our concerns are not real to them," Halbritter told HuffPost last year. "They don't think [the debate] is even real, they don't even think it's even worth bringing up or talking about. We're not human beings, we're not even part of humanity. And that's the problem. They think of us as just something to entertain them, or mascots — relics out of a museum."
Jeb: “But again, I don’t think politicians ought to be having any say about that, to be honest with you. I don’t find it offensive. Native American tribes generally don’t find it offensive.”
Ah, rich white privilege at it's finest with a rich white male Republican at the helm! Bush is reprehensible (I wanted to use some other nouns and adjectives but thought better of it since this is TC's blog) as is Snyder. I wonder where Jeb obtained his information about what Native American tribes find offensive, or not?
My Universe — I could not resist sharing this video with you. I don't know if it's just flip-flops that engenders this reaction or more. My cats like to use my shoes for sleeping on when they're not on the bed. Enjoy!
15 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 02/10/2015”
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Laughing Out Loud, with tears in my eyes! That explains what happens to my husband's floppers when he is asleep!!!!! Oh, geez! That was REALLY funny! Thanks for the comic relief! I needed that so bad!
I remember the days when Kissinger was in office. He was a disaster then and we knew it! Wasn't he under Nixon? Did he know how his initiatives would keep us in a war footing from then on? Anyone from that era still alive? If they are, are they proud of the state of affairs in the Middle East now? We need to step carefully in how we handle this situation now. You never know who will see it as grounds for war in 15-25 years.
Thanks for the cute kitties to help take the edge off the dehumanizing aspects of the treatment of Native Americans and policy in the Middle East Lynn.
4:48 Good thing staghorn sumac is not a poison sumac; else you would not see me for the skin reaction.
Upworthy – We should all have the self esteem that cats have.
New Yorker – "various countries are doing what's right for them while ignoring the people of Syria" – Gee whiz.
HuffPo -Halbritter certainly hit the nail on the head. Can you say "tone deaf," Jeb!? No, i didn;t think so.
Universe – Ah, but can your cats DRIVE your flip flops?
http://cuteoverload.com/2015/07/20/should-i-flip-or-should-i-flop/
Thanks for the extra giggle Joanne!
Cute! . . . but does he have his driver's license?
That cute little kitty cat doing the paw exercises looks similar to how I do my exercises:
1 and 2 and up and down and 1 and 2 and up and down and 1 and …
Alright, now the OTHER eyelid
LOL!
LOL, that last exercise was far too strenuous for me…peace.
That was glorious, Nameless! You are an exerciser after my own heart!
Upworthy: I love this site, and totally agree with the cats. Patriarchy is so passe'.
The New Yorker: The people of Syria are suffering while the other countries are playing politics.
Huffington Post: I shared this one on Facebook. If, after reading it, anyone thinks that Bush is any more than a priveleged white guy who has no idea of what is real, then, as my grandmother would say, "Bless your heart" That is southern for "you are an idiot." I resent the negativity shown all over the country towards hill billies. I am one. However, I am also white and educated, and could choose to live elsewhere. This is not the case for most Native Americans.
My Universe: My cats like to sleep on my shoes, too, and wallow them around until they have black cat hair all over them.
New Yorker – the other night I saw a bit of a tv documentary (couldn't bear to watch more) showing IS' indoctrination and terrorisation of CHILDREN – beating them to make them into the stone cold killers that IS members already are. I was weeping with horror at these poor children's suffering – and the thought of what they were being turned into.
Russia's bombing of alleged IS targets which analysts say are not IS but people trying to combat Assad is also exceedingly worrying.
Upworthy – thanks for that lovely picture, I could watch it for ages – one seriously happy cat! (Cats do love us – every decade or so there is a report in the press of a cat attacking a man who was attacking their beloved owner and chasing off the horrid man!).
Huff Post – just when you think you know all that the Reich Wing do, they surprise you with their lack of humanity again – they make me despair,and I am miles away from the hurt suffered by the Native Americans, God help them.
My Universe – thank God for darling cats and their little ways – and for people who video them!
Good to hear that catnaps are helping to keep your days relaxed, despite the research and preparations of the articles for this site, Lynn. Keep up the good work, and the balance, girl.
Upworthy: Anyone who's owned by one or more cats can only agree with the observation that cats are so over patriarchy, if they can ever get over something they were never into, that is. Cats rule, wherever they are and your catriarchy describes it perfectly, Lynn. By the way, who's been secretly filming my Sarie?
The New Yorker: I see the millions of Syrian refugees refugees in crowded camps in for instance Lebanon and Turkey and see thousands of them risking their lives to come to Europe and I'm at the point of despair about what is happening, and what has happened in the past, in the region. Almost all superpowers are involved in the region now and only for one thing: to show the others "theirs is bigger"; Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya…, they all have been the battleground at one time or another for the superpowers to demonstrate their "virility" and show the world who's boss without having a war on their own doorstep. And they, and assisting countries, all play their own game, always in their own interests, never that of the people living there: Turkey bombing the Kurds under the pretense of bombing Da'esh, Russia bombing the New Syrian Army (fighting Assad) under pretense of bombing Da'esh, Americans and the coalition bombing Da'esh, and all of them killing more civilians caught in the middle of it all than "the enemy". This isn't about fighting terrorism, this isn't about helping the Syrian people, or Assad for that matter, this is about world domination. I'm just wondering when the Chinese are going to interfere as they did in the Sudan.
Huffington Post: Jeb Bush doesn't think of Native Americans as humans, he doesn't think of them at all, because there's no vote to win in the reservations. He does however think FOR them apparently: "[] I don’t find it offensive. Native American tribes generally don’t find it offensive.” That's just disgusting, but then it is exactly what the rabid base wants to hear so it can go on thinking that. If they ever think (about it). After all, they're not human, why bother?
My Universe: We don't wear flip flops (or thongs, as Aussies call them ;-)) but I see that "enamored behavior" with ours shoes quite often. I've never see them hoarding any footwear, though. That was adorable.
Upworthy: My Russian Blue is a talker. A no nonsense kind of gal, and I love her for it. She also hogs the bed at night, and feels worthy of being on the pillow. My elderly Corgi is not happy about that, but she tolerates her. Kids! Whadda gonna do? 😉
HuffPo: His lack of compassion, understanding, and concerns for the the Nation is hateful, and so belittling. He's an ID at his worst.
My Universe: Absolutely loved this! Mine loves flip-flops! And glasses, and toes. TY, Joanne for your clip too.
Hope you have a quiet day, Lynn. Thanks!
Upworthy: Cats have a mind all of their own and most likely barely tolerate humans. lol.
The Nation: As said before. Kissinger should be tried for war crimes in and by the Hague regardless of his advanced age. Let's give him what people, the public really think about him and deflate his enormous ego.
As for what to do for and in Syria is certainly a mess. Only time and the countries involved and might be involved will tell the history of this story. The people, children not involved in the political machinations are the ones suffering the most is why they are leaving their own homelands and are refugees now if they are able to do so.
HuffPo: Instead of giving Jeb Bush the nickname of "Jebya", it should be changed to "Dumya". Jeb is just plain dumb and suffers from foot-in-the-mouth-disease on a continuous, daily basis.
"Dumya!'
As for his wife, Columba Bush, I wonder if she has any Indian blood in her bloodlines.
Universe: Funny. Amazing how kitties are able to jump so far away and so quickly. lol
Hey JEB!. Treatment of Native Americans. It is called GENOCIDE!. Does that offend you. (you nitwit??)