Open Thread March 3 2026

 Posted by at 6:03 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 032026
 

Yesterday, I watched Malcolm Nance’s Day 3. I intend to watch it every day it continues, which means as long as the war lasts (assuming I live that long), but not to report on it here. These reports contain too much detail, including a lot of detail which may be important but may not appear so. Yesterday I provided a link from which anyone can reach the day’s report s it is posted, or subscribe for free to have links sent to their email. I won’t say that something said there might not color my comments on something else, because it might, but I also won’t promise it. I will give you a link to one more longish – about a half hour – video which I expect to be a one-off by Adam Klasfeld (because his primary area of journalism is within courts in the US). It’s about the Rules of Engagement and related topics and features a legal expert in that area.

Archived from The Lever News. You can’t hear it in the archive, but I think most prefer to read anyway. The Lever has just about all the dark money sources nailed here. There are some I haven’t heard of.

There are other things going on besides an unjust, unprovoked, illegal, unconstitutional war. Here are some of them.

While listening to the audio version of this The F* News article, I was thinking – so what should the people of the US do? Well, what if you were an abused wife who learned that your abusive husband had hired a hit man to kill you? You’d probably attempt to get into a shelter, along with any children (and pets – but good luck with that). Obviously that’s not feasible for a nation, but it still might be a mindset to consider.

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Open Thread March 2 2026

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

Yesterday, the news was of course filled with Iran. The mass shoooting in Austin almost got lost. All I have is the initial breaking release and it’s not all that helpful. I emailed Pat B to ask whether she and hers are all right, but it’s pretty late here and an hour later there so I’m not expecting a reply before Tuesday. Trinette was by – have you ever noticed there are people who can make you feel better just by walking into the room? Virgil called and I reminded him who his case manager is. Hopefully he will remember long enough to ask he the balance in his commissary account.

My first thought when I realized that the Saffron Sauron had bombed Iran was, “He got a taste of the blood of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, and now he wants more.” Even if he is too stupid to realize that being at war means your own people getting killed, and even if Kegsbreath is that stupid, there must be someone who is not. Now, after the first casualties including military of ours have been reported, he has his wish. I won’t be crude, but you’ll likely know exactly what I’m thinking when I say he must be thrilled. If you want to follow this war closely, I mean really closely, your best bet is probably Malcolm Nance’s Substack, called “Black Man Spy.” It’s video, because writing takes time, and it is as up to the minute as possible. He does it along with a Danish spy, Jacob Kaarsbo, who has also worked in the area, so both have insider knowledge about the region. Together, they have far more knowledge than I could ever hope to supply. They do it pretty early in the morning, but it’s set (not all live videos are) to re-post a recording after it’s ended. That usually takes roughly an hour (but don’t give up). Or if you are a subscriber, free or paid, Substack will send an email when the recording is up.

This video is from Saturday morning, right after the bombing of Iran. It’s 22 minutes long

This is what we have done – what the monster we elected has done in our name. I don’t think “I’m sorry” or “we’re sorry” will cut it.

I could go on – and probably will as it goes on. But this is my final statement for today.

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Open Thread March 1 2026

 Posted by at 5:57 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Mar 012026
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” – just the first half. It was recorded in 1974, so all the stars are singers whom I remember vividly. It’s a beast to stage, and in fact was not staged in Berlioz’s lifetime. It’s in two acts, and we’ll hear the second act next week. It tells the story of the first four “books” of the Aeneid well – including Laocoon and his sons – which is probably the hardest to stage. The only character who is in both acts is Aeneas, so it’s also expensive to cast. But, if you like Berlioz, and I do, it is gorgeous. I’m not ignoring the fact that the Apricot Antichrist bombed Iran in the middle of the night Friday, and I’ll address that tomorrow. Today is a day of rest – and I’ll need time to go through multiple reports and decide what to stress and why. I did hear the Ayatollah has been confirmed to be dead, but as I type, I can’t vouch for it.

Sharing a story about the demand for tattoos rising as good news was never on my Bingo card. But I find the increasing demand for these specific tattoos both interesting – and encouraging that so many people care that much. Also, I’m impressed at how the owner of the shop is dedicating the increased revenue.

You may have to unmute this (I did), but it’s under 2 minutes, and it’s on loop so you won’t miss anything.

Building community is always good news (well, maybe not if it’s a “Christian Nationalist” community. But most are better than that.) This one sounds like fun – and is reaching more than just its members.

NM Granny

Cats

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Open Thread February 28 2026

 Posted by at 5:59 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 282026
 

Yesterday, I set my alarm because I needed to take in a grocery order. At least I got everything in and put away. But that did throw me a little off schedule – to the extent that I even have a schedule. But – today being the last day of Black History month, I think I simply must share something I learned today – from Wikipedia: “Errollyn Wallen CBE (born 10 April 1958)[1] is a Belize-born British composer and musician, who moved as a child with her family to London, England. Wallen was appointed Master of the King’s Music in 2024 by King Charles III, in his first appointment to the post. She is the first black woman to serve in the position, having in 1998 been the first black woman to have a work featured in the Proms.” Oh, and Andy Borowitz has Hillary’s complete opening statement – no joke – though he does joke some in the lead-in.

This from the Brennan Center is an abridged version of their report. The one thing I wanted to see which was not in the summary was which states do what. I found that information by clicking on the “Download Insight” button (Colorado was not the first to correct this, but was one of the first . No one took any action until just before the 2020 census.) The summary is probably comprehensive enough for most people.

A report from Pro Publica on the conditions at the Dilley concentration camp in Texas. The art of children is likely not as monetarily valued as the art seized from German Jews by the Nazis – but it is in its way no less important. How can one put a price on the tears of a child?

I won’t apologize for JoJo’s language in her title. She’s not addressing the epithet to us.

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Open Thread February 27 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 272026
 

Yesterday, I thought the most interesting development was Abrego Garcia’s vindictive prosecution hearing, which was best covered in two videos, both featuring Adam Klasfeld (one also had Michael Popok and the other also had Glenn Kirschner) and each lasting about a half hour. Bottom line – the DOJ was on defense as the judge had previously announced that there was clearly probable cause, so only their testimony was taken – and it had holes in it. I thought those holes looked big enough to drive a Mack truck through, but IANAL.

From The Brennan Center. The last I heard, the Constitution (including all its amendments) applied to everyone, not just to citizens. I’m somewhat concerned that if the regime carves out social media handles as an exception for non-citizens, it will eventually want to use the fact that the Constitution applies to everyone to apply this exemption to citizens as well. That might not get past the courts, but I can see it winning in the Court of Public Opinion.

This certainly never occurred to me – and it may not have occurred to Robert Reich before either – had it, I would have thought that we would have heard of it. It would not fly in all states – but it might not need to.

Keeping its residents (not only citizens) safe may not be the number one, but even so, it’s pretty near the top, whether or not it is mentioned. It is what all the first ten amendments are about (although the second no longer has the desired effect.)

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Open Thread February 26 2026

 Posted by at 5:59 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 262026
 

Yesterday, I listened to last week’s “Coffee Klatch” which Robert Reich does (I would have done do sooner, but it had gone to Spam and I just found it.) Robert and Heather interviewed David Hogg. There was a lot of good stuff in that interview, but one thing which struck me is that he said they spend a lot of time telling young men they’re not ready to run because they’re not ready to do the job, and another lot of time convincing young women they are absolutely qualified to run and do the job. Why am I not surprised? Also, Andy Borowitz shared a 7 year old half hour long British documentary regarding the Mango Monster and underage girls.

Money in politics has always been an issue. But it is getting worse, and not just because of inflation. It’s also getting more and more blatant as those who engage in enriching themselves become more and more blatant. If we allow them to normalize it – well, you can see what will happen.

There are other sources for this, but I’m inclined to trust Robert Reich‘s take more than most. (Incidentally, if Kegsbreath is so damn smart, why would he want AI anyway? Truth is, he knows he can’t do it better himself.)

Please save this and re-read it frequently – especially around elections, including primaries. These frightful attitudes are not going away any time soon. These men are repeating what they learned at their father’s knee (or the knee of a brow-beaten mother, or both.) And their self-respect depends on keeping those opinions, despite any and all evidence to the contrary. Facts be damned. We will never successfully oppose it by pretending it doesn’t exist.

This video has a great punchline:

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Open Thread February 25 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 252026
 

Yesterday, I did watch the “State of the Swamp”, not the “State of the Union”, and, although it was long, I’m glad I did. I found it inspiring.

Vitriol (or, technically, oil of vitriol) is sulfuric acid – H2SO4 – diluted with water. There used to be a rhyme about it – “Poor John is dead/With us he is no more/For what he thought was H₂O was H2SO4.” It can be created spontaneously when sulfides created when copper ore is blasted out of rock is oxidized by contact with oxygen in the air, and then encounters water. You would think that no one would want to establish a copper mine in proximity to a large body of water. But this is exactly what Antofagasta Mining wants to do upstream of the Boundary Waters, which are situated on the border between the US and Canada. (Canada calls their part something else, but both sides are heavily visited, and contain wildlife.) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area on our side is the most visited wilderness area in the U.S. The House has already voted to authorize this mine, and now the bill goes to the Senate. My best source for this (the most information with the least filler) is this 13-minute video. It has CC, so there is a transcript.

If this from The 19th doesn’t break your heart – assuming it isn’t already broken – well, you can fill in the “then” section yourself. No one – absolutely no one – should have to live like this.

The Brennan Center reviews the history of changes being made to the makeup and responsibilities of the Supreme Court. It’s not something that is impossible. If it has been done before, it can be done again.

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Open Thread February 24 2026

 Posted by at 6:00 am  Open Thread, Personal, Politics
Feb 242026
 

Yesterday, I learned a little more about the “State of the Swamp” event (info at defiant.org), including that, earlier in the day, the Portland Frog Brigade is going to visit every Republican Congresscritter’s office and give them a copy of the Constitution, with a note that “This is what you swore an oath to – not a man.” Using Absurdism to fight craziness works for me. But there are also two other more serious alternate events organized by Democrats – and a group which is giving out Bingo cards for the real thing. Eventually I’ll get reports on how the “real” thing went so even though I won’t see it, I’ll have something (or likelier, some things) to say about it.

I’ve been reading that Democratic AGs have been preparing for this – and wonder how they were preparing. Common Dreams got at least part of the answer through Politico and is sharing.

I’ve always felt that “equal time” could get a bit dicey if one or more of those granted equal time were lying. So it’s good to know that the FCC recognizes this in determining what constitutes “time.”

Archived from The Lever. Palantir is a company which has me more terrified than most have. It’s no surprise that they would move if a different state with fewer and looser regulations came along. I might just mention that in he world for which the Palantiri were conceived, they were created by good entities to be used for good. That lasted for centuries – until Sauron got hold of one (there were only 7 or 8 made) and figured out how to corrupt its use – not, actually, by showing false things – but by allowing only truths which would cause despair to be seen. (The Saffron Sauron is not that smart, but I still think it’s a good nickname. And it has the additional advantage that Sauron, before he became the second Dark Lord, had been a servant of Morgoth, the original Dark Lord, who was even more powerful. The Saffron Sauron is a servant of Moscow Morgoth – AKA Putin.)

Robert Reich

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