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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Open Thread August 6 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 062026
 

YesterdayI thought I had my in person follow up with my new PCP and discovered I was off a day (after trying and failing to book a taxi.) Hopefully I can make it today. We shall see.

Heck, I could have told this. You probably could have also. If you ae depending on someone to keep a promise, just “in writing” isn’t enough. It has to be signed under oath, witness, and certified or notsrized by someone legally authorized to certify or notarized. And you, the person who is requiring it, are the person who gets yto keep the original = the signator may keep a copy only. That’s just for starters – I’m not trying to imply that Joyce’s explanation isn’t fuller – becuse it is.

Wolves and Sheep addresses the war and how the Mango Moron’s decision-making habits are affecting it – and other things he touches.

Talking Points Memo in how Markwayne Mullen is seeking and finding people to prosecute under the anti-Antifa executive order.

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Open Thread August 5 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 052026
 

Yesterday was not one of my best days. I had an appointment and had to cancel it because I couldn’t find my car keys. I still haven’t found them, and I have another appointment today which is going to be a lot harder to reschedule if I don’t find them. I know they’re here – somewhere.

Allison Gill has not been one of my favorite people on Substack. I’ve watched videos of hers because of the people she makes them with. But with this, she has earned an upgrade. Hanky alert.

The F*ing News covers a range of subjects here, so you may want to skim it. There will likely be at least one deserving a closer look.

Remember the days of the 50’s, 50’s and 70’s, when we still had Congresses that would write and pass legislation? And Presidents who would sign them? The Tangerine Torturer might want to change his name to 00Trump – since he now want the courts to give him a license to kill.

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Open Thread August 3 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 032026
 

Yesterday, Trinette was by and I think we had even more fun than usual. And got more done. This week I have one or two medical appointments and an appointment for my exterminator to come and check that all is still going well (which I think and hope is the case.)

My Attorney General (God willing and the creek don’t rise, my next governor) will be (by the time you see this is) on to this like ugly on Stephen Miller. I can’t guarantee he and we will win – but I believe the Apricot Antichrist is zero for twenty.

The same is true for Latinos, Asians, Pacific Islanders, People from the Middle East, Native Americans, anyone who speaks American English with an accent, and women of any color or origin. Add all those groups together and you come up with a commanding majority (which doesn’t actually command anything – but should.)

Archived from Huff Post, and it certainly buttresses the point of the previous article, doesn’t it. This is why we can’t have nice things.

Harlem Ren

Cat

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Open Thread August 2 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Aug 022026
 

Yesterday,the radio opera was “L’Eliser d’Amore” (“The Love Potion) by Gaetano Donizetti. It’s a comedy, and not just because it has a happy ending. It premiered in 1832 abd kas kiterakky never been out of the repertory. Normally, I’m not crazy about productions which change the time or the country an opera is set in – because there’s always something that doesn’t fit the history and/or culture of the new setting) – but, years ago (so many years that I was not yet married) a production was televised set in the 1860’s in the American southwest in the 1860s – and it was spooky how well it fit. The southwest did not have peasants – but it did have cowboys. And it had traveling snale oil salesmen. And there was a war on. (And of course, a young woman who owns a farm or a ranch could be just about anywhere, any time.) Since then, I have never heard it without remembering that production. (And it didn’t hurt that the tenor was very easy on the eyes.)

I would never have thought of this, but I’m glad someone did. (I did think of taking bayyet to address balance issues – and it worked – but didn’t last because I didn’t keep it up. Marine bases didn’t have barres installed then – and I’d be very surprised if they do even now.)

This chick is lucky to be a penguin – it it were an animal which could be cuddled gy humans, it would be cuddled within an inch of its life, it’s so adorable. (No disrespect is meant by calling it “it” – penguins cannot be gendered by humans visually, and it needs to be old enough for a blood test to check its DNA, and it isn’t yet.)

This is long for a Sunday, and it’s also not yet actual good news but potential good news. But, having spent a couple of years as a regular visitor to a couple where the wife had advanced Parkinson’s, it hits home to me.

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