What can I say? 2020 has been a difficult year. What do you remember or what will stick out in your mind for 2020? I'm working on a year-end post and have been thinking about this in-depth.
I will never forget this photo by Julio Cortez. A protester carries a U.S. flag upside down, a sign of distress, next to a burning building Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody Monday, broke out in Minneapolis for a third straight night. See more at https://twitter.com/JulioCortez_AP/status/1266420693954105346
Post a memory about 2020, leave a message, or whatever.
"Author, activist and dissident Chris Hedges spoke at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy NY on October 16, 2020. In this talk he examines the cultural and social forces that have given rise to extremism in the United States. He explores the myriad of factors that led to the proliferation of neo-fascist militias, extremist organizations, demagogic leaders, vast social divides defined by hate, a hyper nationalism and virulent racism as well as a mass media that has descended into burlesque and fans the flames of social disintegration. Meghan Marohn moderates a Q&A following the talk."
From Media Sanctuary, "Chris Hedges "The Politics of Cultural Despair"
I’ve never been into boy bands and had no idea who Harry Styles was until I saw the Watermelon Sugar video. I was impressed with his charisma that oozed out from the screen and his fashion style. He went from being in the Boy Band One Direction, a successful solo career, and now the first-ever man to be on the cover of Vogue by himself. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/harry-styles-vogue-cover-trnd/index.html
Photo from Vogue Magazine https://www.vogue.com/article/harry-styles-cover-december-2020
Can anyone explain to me why people don't wear masks to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2? I know what you're going to say, "The CDC told us not to wear masks." Yes, that was at the beginning of the pandemic, and since then science has changed. Scientists have studied and researched SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and in July 2020, the CDC began encouraging mask-wearing to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
I'm not a fan of Howard Stern but I thought this was funny as fuck.
While looking for information on how to deal with anti-maskers, I found this. This guy is hilarious.
Please, everyone, WEAR A MASK AND PROTECT OTHERS AND YOURSELF.
Source Control to Block Exhaled Virus
Multi-layer cloth masks block release of exhaled respiratory particles into the environment,3-6 along with the microorganisms these particles carry.7,8 Cloth masks not only effectively block most large droplets (i.e., 20-30 microns and larger)9 but they can also block the exhalation of fine droplets and particles (also often referred to as aerosols) smaller than 10 microns ;3,5 which increase in number with the volume of speech10-12 and specific types of phonation.13 Multi-layer cloth masks can both block up to 50-70% of these fine droplets and particles3,14 and limit the forward spread of those that are not captured.5,6,15,16 Upwards of 80% blockage has been achieved in human experiments that have measured blocking of all respiratory droplets,4 with cloth masks in some studies performing on par with surgical masks as barriers for source control.3,9,14
Filtration for Personal Protection
Studies demonstrate that cloth mask materials can also reduce wearers’ exposure to infectious droplets through filtration, including filtration of fine droplets and particles less than 10 microns. The relative filtration effectiveness of various masks has varied widely across studies, in large part due to variation in experimental design and particle sizes analyzed. Multiple layers of cloth with higher thread counts have demonstrated superior performance compared to single layers of cloth with lower thread counts, in some cases filtering nearly 50% of fine particles less than 1 micron .14,17-29 Some materials (e.g., polypropylene) may enhance filtering effectiveness by generating triboelectric charge (a form of static electricity) that enhances capture of charged particles18,30 while others (e.g., silk) may help repel moist droplets31 and reduce
Transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like.NIAID-RML
It doesn't get wackier than this. Disqus commenter Shep accused me of voter fraud, which is a felony, for posting a photo of my "I voted" sticker. Shep has been stalking and harassing me for more than five years. He will use any excuse to falsely accuse me of something I didn't do and harass me.
The article is a clear sign that Shep is stalking me. Shep posted, "Yesterday, November 2nd, dERp posted this, which indcates to me that she might have voted in person on Monday." (Yes, he spelled indicates incorrectly as "indcates.") Funny how he claims my education was sub-par.
1. Shep posted, “Yesterday, November 2nd, dERp posted this, which indcates to me that she might have voted in person on Monday.”
Shep thinks because I posted a photo of an “I voted” sticker on my jacket on 11/2/2020 it means I voted in person that day.” Shep is wrong. I got the sticker in my absentee ballot packet and they offer you an “I voted” sticker when you drop off your ballot in person.
2. There is no “red flag.” Shep thinks because they pass out “I voted” stickers to voters who only vote in person in his state of Oklahoma, every state does the same thing. Talk about myopic thinking. Shep said, “Am I the only one who sees a red flag here? Those stickers are passed out for in person voting in OK. I know how to check for this sort of fraud in OK. I wonder if it works the same way in MN.”
"Each absentee ballot packet contains an “I Voted” sticker, just like the one you get when voting in person. Paul Middlestaedt for MPR News" When I opened my absentee ballot packet I was pleasantly surprised that there was an "I voted sticker." I thought it was kind of cute that they did that. I put the sticker on my jacket after I dropped off my ballot in person to a designated drop off location in Minneapolis. There was an election official there to oversee the drop off location. After I put my ballot in the secure box they asked if I wanted an "I voted sticker." So yes, you can get an "I voted sticker" in Minneapolis when you vote by absentee ballot. Again, Shep is wrong.
“Trump Nightly News” posted playlists from Trump’s rallies, or as they say, "Trump Tunes."
Musicians have voiced opposition to Trump playing their music and/or sent a cease and desist order to the Trump Campaign to stop playing their music and his rallies; Neil Young, REM, Twisted Sister, Adele, Elton John, Rolling Stones, Queen, Luciano Pavarotti’s estate, Steven Tyler, Prince’s estate, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty’s estate, Brendon Urie, Leonard Cohen, Eddy Grant, Phil Collins, and John Fogerty. I'm sure there are more, please add to the list in the comment section.
What are the songs you would like Trump to listen to?
PUBLIC ENEMY - State Of The Union (STFU) featuring DJ PREMIER | OFFICIAL VIDEO
For weeks, I've wanted to post an article about racism in the U.S. I am not an expert on racism and don't pretend to be. I'm a white woman who doesn't want to engage in racist behavior. I want to be an ally to BIPOC. I don't want to participate, engage in or support racism. I don't want to support systemic and/or institutionalized racism. I want to dismantle it.
In all honestly, I struggled with writing this post. This isn't about me, but I let a commenter egg me on. Yes, I let my ego get the better of me on this. I was tagged to this thread, "Racism, dERpy At Critical Theory, and Winning Arguments by Changing the Meanings of Words." He seems to be upset with the definition of racism that I posted. I used a definition of racism by the Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/racism. "Racism: The marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white people." Shep posted a screenshot of my comment with his commentary.
Posting a dictionary definition of racism doesn’t address racial oppression, systemic racism, and institutional racism. It's much more complicated than a dictionary definition. We have to address the deeply ingrained systems of racial oppression in the U.S.
I guess there is no rebuttal but a pause to stop and think. Please share your thoughts.
It's the 19th anniversary of 9/11. Do you remember where you were? I remember. It was a surreal day, filled with horror and shock.
Sculptor Michael Richards died during the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. He was the recipient of the Franconia Sculpture Park/Jerome Fellowship in 2000. “Mr. Richards was in residence in 2000, during the last week of August and the first week of September. In that time he created the sculpture "Are You Down?" The large-scale work features three life-size human figures surrounding a target, which represent the artist in uniform as a Tuskegee Airman.” https://www.franconia.org/michael-richards/
On 9/11/01, I was at work and listened to the news that a plane hit the World Trade Center. From the news report, it sounded like a small plane than went off course. This was not the case.
Because of the work of labor unions and union workers in the U.S. we have a 40-hour work-week, no child labor, and safer working conditions, among other gains for workers. The height of the labor movement in the U.S. was in the mid-1950s and has been steadily declining ever since. Many people don’t understand or know about the hard-fought work of unions and that impact on the rights of workers today.
"The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York City on Tuesday, September 5, 1882. Following the deaths of 13 workers during the Pullman Strike in June of 1894, President Grover Cleveland made reconciliation with the labor movement a top political priority, and Labor Day become a federal holiday in 1894." https://www.unionplus.org/page/labor-day-history
I listened to this today and it’s an excellent piece of journalism. It was produced in 1984 but is a look back at the labor movement and those who fought and died for our rights as workers.
I have my eye on this tiny house. Isn't she cute? I could run away and live my Cottagecore dream. (Yes, sarcasm)
No, sadly, I'm not running off to the woods. However, I really like the tiny house concept. Not sure I could do that long-term. But I can dream about living a simple life in the woods and learning how to adapt that to city life.
Photo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiny_house,_Portland.jpg
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speech at the March on Washington has been turned into a sound bite of “I have a dream.” Please read full text of his speech and listen to what he said.
It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note in so far as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked “insufficient funds.”
On August 28th, 2020 thousands gathered in Washington DC to commemorate the 1963 civil rights March on Washington and in protest of police violence.
March on Washington: Thousands gather at historic civil rights march
I like the rustic look and the open space. In reality, my kitchen is a lot smaller. I'm looking at how I can use smaller appliances and maximize the space I have.
A sincere thank you to “Your Coccyx” for this excellent piece of tabloid journalism. “Dregs Mini-Post: Musically Declined Edition” Really, this is fucking brilliant. I hate and love you at the same time.
I swore I wasn't going to post at Paul's blog. I did. I saw this post and the racist comments and couldn't help myself from speaking out. My comments to Desert Woman were removed. The funny thing is that I posted screenshots of what she said.
To all of the assholes who refuse to wear a mask in a store for 20-30 minutes while they shop, "Fuck you!" If you don't want to wear a mask while you shop, then don't go to the store and order your food online. DON'T ATTACK OR ASSAULT store employees for enforcing store, city, or state requirements that you wear a mask. DON'T ATTACK OR ASSAULT store employees for enforcing that you wear a mask.Store employees are not security or bouncers to enforce mask mandates. They are simply doing their job by asking customers to wear a mask while they shop to mitigate the spread of COVID to other customers and store employees. This is not a lot to ask. Just wear the mask. Please respect store employees because they are putting their health and lives on the line to provide groceries and essentials for you. There have been many incidents of store employees who have been verbally and physically attacked while doing their job by simply enforcing store, city, or state requirements for customers to wear a mask while shopping. Do your part and don't be a dickhead. Wear a mask while you shop. Be nice and don't fuck with the store employees because you don't agree with mask mandates. Just be nice, shop, pay for your items, stay six feet away from others, and leave the store being happy that you are able to shop and the store isn't closed because of Covid. Tison from Costco is AWESOME.
I have a lot of respect for him for how he handled the situation with this moronic anti-masker.
The White House announced that First Lady Melania Trump will “renew” the White House Rose Garden, “First Lady Melania Trump Announces Plans to Restore and Enhance the White House Rose Garden.” Talk about a boring headline for their press release. This is a real snoozer. How exactly is she going to “restore and enhance” the Rose Garden? Why is this needed right now in the middle of a pandemic when 150,000 Americans have died from Covid-19 in 2020. I'm a big fan of if it ain't broke don't fix it. Why would the government spend money on this now, when people are out of work, broke, and hungry? Now is not the time to redesign a garden that isn't broke. “The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future,” said First Lady Melania Trump. Is Melania plagiarizing again? Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
Barack Obama walks through the Rose Garden in 2009, view to the northeast (White House - Pete Souza) Photo from http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/grounds/rose-garden.htm
BB cat holding his stick he "caught" in the yard. He's very proud of his "Kill." Was the internet made for cat videos? I'm leaning towards "yes." I can't stop laughing at this video on Facebook. I'm sorry I don't have a YouTube link. It's a very cute video and I completely understand it as my cats are very much like that. https://www.facebook.com/missenell/videos/2928545713932356/
Who told Trump this is a good idea? “Late Night with Seth Meyers” Trump Holds Coronavirus Briefing, Threatens to Send More Secret Police: A Closer Look.
How is this happening in the U.S.? This is authoritarianism in full force.
"Portland protesters say Federal officers in unmarked vans are kidnapping them" Americans exercising their First Amendment Rights have been kidnapped by the police in Portland, Oregon. We need to stand up to the Trump Administration's fascism.
I ran into a guy like this today. I was at the co-op and a man shopping refused to wear a mask even though it is store policy and a city ordinance. I will call him “Trump cultist asshole dude.” He was a belligerent asshole. The store employees asked him to wear a mask, they gave him a disposable mask to wear. They asked “Trump cultist asshole dude” repeatedly to wear a mask and told him it was the store policy and a city ordinance. “Trump cultist asshole dude” refused and continued shopping. When “Trump cultist asshole dude” went to pay for his items he verbally assaulted the staff and claimed they were assaulting him by asking him to wear a mask. He claimed he was “assaulted” for being told to wear a mask.
I watched it all and had enough. I walked up the “Trump cultist asshole dude” and kept a distance of 6 feet and told him he was being rude and assaulting the staff. I am a regular customer at the store and was horrified by the man's actions. The staff told him to leave the store. He refused and kept verbally attacking them. “Trump cultist asshole dude” was rude, belligerent, and assaulting the staff. He was clearly breaking the law.
“Trump cultist asshole dude” got way out of hand and started throwing things at the staff and anyone around him. I yelled call 911 NOW. The manager called 911 and it took the cops 20 minutes to get there. The staff and customers followed the man out of the store. “Trump cultist asshole dude” became more verbally and physically abusive. He physically assaulted one of the staff members. Several of us stood with the staff member and protected him and others. “Trump cultist asshole dude” assailant took off on his bike before the cops arrived. All he had to do was wear a fucking mask for 20 minutes while he shopped. Instead, he threw a fit and verbally and physically assaulted the staff.
“Trump cultist asshole dude” was on camera for verbal and physical assault. The cops didn’t show up in time to arrest him and he got away. He should have been arrested for assault. I hope the store will send the video to the police and arrest him. If he shows up at the store again, I hope the staff will call the police and throw his ass in jail.
Why does the “Trump cultist asshole dude” feel entitled to not wear a mask and endanger the lives of the staff and shoppers? How does this kind of entitlement happen?
This campaign is beyond insulting to Americans and to those who are unemployed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump massively screwed up the Covid-19 pandemic response. Ivanka has NO POLITICAL experience or any real experience at all. She has never had to apply for a job in her life. She and her father are CLUELESS. They are insulting and demeaning people who have lost their jobs because Trump fucked up the response to Covid-19. Please vote this idiotic moron out of office.
"August 24th, 2019, 23-year-old Elijah McClain was walking home after buying some tea at a local convenience store. According to Elijah's family, Elijah, who was anemic, preferred to wear a ski mask to keep his face warm while he was walking. The Aurora Police Department received a call of a "suspicious man". This call resulted in Elijah's death. After the McClain family requested the bodycam footage from the officers on scene it was reported that in the footage,
"He is laying on the ground vomiting, he is begging, he is saying, 'I can't breathe.' One of the officers says, 'Don't move again. If you move again, I'm calling in a dog to bite you,'" -Mari Newman (the McClain's lawyer)
When the paramedics arrived they administered a dose of Ketamine to the already unconscious Elijah to "sedate" him. He was pronounced dead August 27th, 2019, at only 23 years old of a heart attack. Denver 7 News stated, "...they couldn’t determine whether McClain's death was an accident, was due to natural causes, or is a homicide related to the police department's use of a carotid hold". The officers on the scene were placed on temporary leave, however, they are back in the field with no charges.
Sign this petition to bring justice for Elijah. Demand these officers are taken off duty, and that a more in-depth investigation is held."
**WARNING** This video is disturbing. It shows the police abusing and killing Elijah McClain, an innocent young man who didn't do anything and the police had NO reason to stop him.
The Myth of the Peaceful Black Lives Matter/ANTIFA Protest
20200624 Shep as Author
How many police cars must be destroyed before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many horses must be burned alive before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many peace officers must be assaulted before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many horses must have their faces crushed by bricks before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many lasers must be shone into the eyes of pilots before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many women's charities must be firebombed before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many minority owned businesses must be destroyed before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many exploding firework shells must be fired at helicopters before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How much gunfire can there be from the protesters before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many businesses must have their storefronts destroyed and their content looted before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How much damage to property, public and private, can there be, before a protest is no longer peaceful?
How many innocent drivers passing a protest must be intimidated and assaulted before a protest is no longer peaceful.
How many protesters must carry and use SWAT grade door breaching tools before a protest is no longer peaceful?
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I could go on. These are things that happened in Oklahoma. I encourage you to ask similar questions about other protests around the country in the comments section.
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We are being made to feel overwhelmed. The truth is we surround them. Of course Walmart and several other large corporations had their corporate giving departments pre-primed to give money to these looters. Walmart alone pledged at least $100 million. More about that in a later editorial.
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We are late to the game, but we have the advantage of numbers. To use this advantage we must make our voices heard.
Action Plan Step One:
When your local television or radio news promulgates this "peaceful protest", or the more insidious "mostly peaceful protest" nonsense, call them. Ask to speak with their public relations department. Be polite. Tell them that if violence occurs at a protest, it is a violent protest. Advise them that you will stop watching the local news if they continue to put lipstick on pigs.
This requires a follow-up. Car dealerships are usually the largest of a local stations advertising accounts. Contact the dealerships that are buying adverts on the offending stations. If you've ever bought a car from that dealer, remind them. If you know someone who has bought a car there get that person involved too. If you haven't bought a car there still call them and let them know you will never buy a car from them if they continue to support this nonsense on the news programs. If they tell you they don't buy ad spots on the news, tell them it doesn't matter. You may also let them know you are considering sending letters to the local paper expressing your displeasure at the support that dealership has shown for this false narrative. If the dealership has strong ties to the left, don't be shy about calling them. Their ties to their pocketbooks will always be stronger than their commitment to advancing the myth of the peaceful protest.
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Remember, Cain was mostly a "not-murderer" until he killed Abel. Forevermore after that he was a murderer. These protests are violent. Let's stop allowing the Marxist thugs to tell us they are not.
