I literally did stick my head in the sand. I cancelled my YoutubeTV subscription. where I stream all my news feeds. They were raising the monthly fee $10 and I couldn't rationalize paying $80 a month to watch this pending shit show.
My mother told me just one time when I was a child that my mouth would get me into trouble. So be it. Maybe this is the time she was thinking about. I think about this daily whether I should just put my head into the sand and just let it all go, but it's not with in my nature. So all I know how to do is help support all those who are writers and influencers to get and keep the messages out by sharing the stories and continue to talk to my friends and new acquaintance's and not let it go.
I am determined to reduce my unconscious consumption of “news”, and to focus on Jim Bob, Heather Cox Richardson and Joyce Vance and try to survive the next 4 years. I do wonder if 45/47 (how does that work anyway) will survive 4 more years or if he will be so exhausted by golfing and fielding questions from his golf cart that he just fail to survive? God bless us one and all and that includes those who are incapable of separating truth from lies and voted for 45/47.
By the way, the most interesting thing I've read about the whole Canada/Greenland/Panama axis of imperialism suggests a dark ghost in the machine: Vladimir Putin. He wants both Canada and Greenland within his sphere of influence to make it easer is defend against USA and Europe. The Panamanians have imposed crippling sanctions on Russia, and Putin wants them gone. The sooner he can make the U.S. into a client state, the sooner he can get it to fulfill his desires vis-a-vis all three counties.
Well, that's insidious stuff, and likely true. Putin has already got a naval base completed in the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole, which projects Russian power quickly across the Great Circle Route. Greenland would be simpler, and would provide those natural resources of rare earth materials. And he who controls Panama would control much of the trade in the Western World. Trump will do the dirty work for him using US military resources. Sounds like a Tom Clancy novel gone real world.
This is what I have also seen mentioned by various authoritarian scholars. It’s all a Russia/China situation between all three of those bizarre proposals.
Excelente!! You are right in the main column and in the comment. The military is really a scholarship and employment program to encourage young people to join under the pretense of defending our liberties. An illusion, a slight of hand.
The "head in the sand" temptation is powerful, and I succumb to it from time to time. Jimmy Carter said the only title greater than "Mr. President" in this country is "Citizen," and it is time for all of us to embrace the awesome responsibility that comes with it. We have to speak out, let our voices be heard, even bang on the pots and pans, as Molly Ivins counseled. And, as Molly also counseled, have fun — embrace the joy of being a citizen of a still-great country.
Too bad you couldn't finish on the Russian/Ukraine note. It would have been the icing on the crap cake. Aren't we lucky to be here at the beginning of what was once the grandeur of American democracy go down the toilet. Sorry kids, grandkids, et al, but we all now have a front row seat to the apocalypse. Get the popcorn ready.
I could have written ad infinitum on Ukraine but I think I've found the length that readers want/tolerate for most pieces. There are a lot of substack writers cranking out very long pieces that require 20-30 mins. to read, and I think that affects their subscriber list. But I have no data. Just speculation.
Your quality of insight and the writing of such deserves whatever length fulfills the need. But I appreciate your consideration of the reader's time as well as recognizing that extending this piece would place the reader in the difficult position of either continuing to absorb the vision's unfortunate truth, or climbing a ten foot ladder and doing a head dive onto the waiting pavement. I realize it was a tough decision. To misquote Shakespeare: Uneasy the head that stares into the word document.
I'm relying on his administration's incompetence to protect us from most of his insanities, amigo. But honestly, Steve, there is much to be worried about.
His enthusiasm for expanding his own financial reserves and positioning his loyalists to serve in that effort remain among the greatest threats to our democratic republic from within that has ever existed.
As is his across-the-board nominations to cabinet posts of those who wouldn't otherwise be able to acquire a security clearance but for his insistence.
Bomb-throwers tasked with decimating the very agencies they are proposed to lead.
I’ve always winced when I’ve heard politicians of both parties,or anyone really, praise veterans for fighting for our freedom. I feel sorry for them for sure, but they’re not fighting for my freedom since WWII anyway, fighting for poor foreign policy maybe. Even the hunt to avenge the savage murdering terrorists of 9-11 turned into a flawed changing a country operation that after 20 yrs resulted in nothing. And for most of the time we lost pursuit of the mastermind and went off into Iraq! How is any of that fighting for our freedom? Most of the harrowing stories you hear from the poor veterans is like listening to a mind bending terrifying team experience of staying alive and protecting each other, not protecting our freedoms.
I often want to ask people that spout that phrase, how would you not be free to do anything you’re doing right now if all of these wars, at least since WWII, weren’t fought? Soldiers who sign up to serve don’t have the choice when politicians make stupid decisions.
I've made these arguments many times, Mike, and people get very uncomfortable. The implication is that 56 thousand plus men and women died for nothing in Vietnam, which is, I fear, the hard truth. And if we don't explain to families of veterans that difficult fact, we end up in an endless cycle of faithful citizens being drawn into wars for resources and politics and territory, which have nothing to do with this country. Then we build monuments to the fallen, as we should, but they also act as historical justification for the politicians who sent those young soldiers off to die for oil or some petty dictator who is a flunky for our government. And because our educational system is so expensive, and our small towns are dying off, high school graduates have limited choices and they choose the military, thus no draft is needed. We consume the disadvantaged to protect the privileged. Nobody is defending our freedom. I thought after George W. Bush's lies about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were exposed, people would begin to understand what the U.S. military is all about. But every generation has to learn for themselves, unfortunately. History repeats itself; that's the bad thing about history.
"(H)igh school graduates have limited choices and they choose the military, thus no draft is needed. We consume the disadvantaged to protect the privileged."--Bullseye, alas...
I literally did stick my head in the sand. I cancelled my YoutubeTV subscription. where I stream all my news feeds. They were raising the monthly fee $10 and I couldn't rationalize paying $80 a month to watch this pending shit show.
Yes, I don't blame you, also alot harder on those who are married and with kids to consider them before they speak out.
My mother told me just one time when I was a child that my mouth would get me into trouble. So be it. Maybe this is the time she was thinking about. I think about this daily whether I should just put my head into the sand and just let it all go, but it's not with in my nature. So all I know how to do is help support all those who are writers and influencers to get and keep the messages out by sharing the stories and continue to talk to my friends and new acquaintance's and not let it go.
I am determined to reduce my unconscious consumption of “news”, and to focus on Jim Bob, Heather Cox Richardson and Joyce Vance and try to survive the next 4 years. I do wonder if 45/47 (how does that work anyway) will survive 4 more years or if he will be so exhausted by golfing and fielding questions from his golf cart that he just fail to survive? God bless us one and all and that includes those who are incapable of separating truth from lies and voted for 45/47.
By the way, the most interesting thing I've read about the whole Canada/Greenland/Panama axis of imperialism suggests a dark ghost in the machine: Vladimir Putin. He wants both Canada and Greenland within his sphere of influence to make it easer is defend against USA and Europe. The Panamanians have imposed crippling sanctions on Russia, and Putin wants them gone. The sooner he can make the U.S. into a client state, the sooner he can get it to fulfill his desires vis-a-vis all three counties.
Well, that's insidious stuff, and likely true. Putin has already got a naval base completed in the Arctic Ocean near the North Pole, which projects Russian power quickly across the Great Circle Route. Greenland would be simpler, and would provide those natural resources of rare earth materials. And he who controls Panama would control much of the trade in the Western World. Trump will do the dirty work for him using US military resources. Sounds like a Tom Clancy novel gone real world.
This is what I have also seen mentioned by various authoritarian scholars. It’s all a Russia/China situation between all three of those bizarre proposals.
Excelente!! You are right in the main column and in the comment. The military is really a scholarship and employment program to encourage young people to join under the pretense of defending our liberties. An illusion, a slight of hand.
The "head in the sand" temptation is powerful, and I succumb to it from time to time. Jimmy Carter said the only title greater than "Mr. President" in this country is "Citizen," and it is time for all of us to embrace the awesome responsibility that comes with it. We have to speak out, let our voices be heard, even bang on the pots and pans, as Molly Ivins counseled. And, as Molly also counseled, have fun — embrace the joy of being a citizen of a still-great country.
Too bad you couldn't finish on the Russian/Ukraine note. It would have been the icing on the crap cake. Aren't we lucky to be here at the beginning of what was once the grandeur of American democracy go down the toilet. Sorry kids, grandkids, et al, but we all now have a front row seat to the apocalypse. Get the popcorn ready.
I could have written ad infinitum on Ukraine but I think I've found the length that readers want/tolerate for most pieces. There are a lot of substack writers cranking out very long pieces that require 20-30 mins. to read, and I think that affects their subscriber list. But I have no data. Just speculation.
The Denmark/Greenland topic deserves serious attention by the media too. Denmark is a NATO member.
Your quality of insight and the writing of such deserves whatever length fulfills the need. But I appreciate your consideration of the reader's time as well as recognizing that extending this piece would place the reader in the difficult position of either continuing to absorb the vision's unfortunate truth, or climbing a ten foot ladder and doing a head dive onto the waiting pavement. I realize it was a tough decision. To misquote Shakespeare: Uneasy the head that stares into the word document.
As John Prine put it... it's a big ol goofy world. Only now it's dangerously goofy.
Saw this "couple" nickname the other day. I'm trying to push it... better than Brangelina or Bennifer...
@Elonald
Gotta piss off Cheeto cause his name ain't first.
If I have to read about the subject, at least I get to read your words on it.
Well-stated concern.
I'm relying on his administration's incompetence to protect us from most of his insanities, amigo. But honestly, Steve, there is much to be worried about.
Couldn't agree more strongly.
His enthusiasm for expanding his own financial reserves and positioning his loyalists to serve in that effort remain among the greatest threats to our democratic republic from within that has ever existed.
As is his across-the-board nominations to cabinet posts of those who wouldn't otherwise be able to acquire a security clearance but for his insistence.
Bomb-throwers tasked with decimating the very agencies they are proposed to lead.
As of Jan 20th we are officially part of the Axis of Evil.
I think that is a correct assessment, my friend.
I’ve always winced when I’ve heard politicians of both parties,or anyone really, praise veterans for fighting for our freedom. I feel sorry for them for sure, but they’re not fighting for my freedom since WWII anyway, fighting for poor foreign policy maybe. Even the hunt to avenge the savage murdering terrorists of 9-11 turned into a flawed changing a country operation that after 20 yrs resulted in nothing. And for most of the time we lost pursuit of the mastermind and went off into Iraq! How is any of that fighting for our freedom? Most of the harrowing stories you hear from the poor veterans is like listening to a mind bending terrifying team experience of staying alive and protecting each other, not protecting our freedoms.
I often want to ask people that spout that phrase, how would you not be free to do anything you’re doing right now if all of these wars, at least since WWII, weren’t fought? Soldiers who sign up to serve don’t have the choice when politicians make stupid decisions.
I've made these arguments many times, Mike, and people get very uncomfortable. The implication is that 56 thousand plus men and women died for nothing in Vietnam, which is, I fear, the hard truth. And if we don't explain to families of veterans that difficult fact, we end up in an endless cycle of faithful citizens being drawn into wars for resources and politics and territory, which have nothing to do with this country. Then we build monuments to the fallen, as we should, but they also act as historical justification for the politicians who sent those young soldiers off to die for oil or some petty dictator who is a flunky for our government. And because our educational system is so expensive, and our small towns are dying off, high school graduates have limited choices and they choose the military, thus no draft is needed. We consume the disadvantaged to protect the privileged. Nobody is defending our freedom. I thought after George W. Bush's lies about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq were exposed, people would begin to understand what the U.S. military is all about. But every generation has to learn for themselves, unfortunately. History repeats itself; that's the bad thing about history.
"(H)igh school graduates have limited choices and they choose the military, thus no draft is needed. We consume the disadvantaged to protect the privileged."--Bullseye, alas...
ANEN to ALL!!