WTF?!

It is impossible to punish the Rich

I hesitate to waste a second on Donald Sterling, who is really just another old white racist who got some notoriety for that. For the moment, he steals the spotlight from the public-lands thief in Nevada who is a hero to the shameless radical right. I like to imagine there is a dwindling supply of ignorant bigots, but I’m a foolish optimist.

Sterling’s punishment is akin to taking a ball from a child who owns an entire chain of ball manufacturers and ball stores — futile and short-lived. He’ll buy another ball in an instant.

Those who see this as justice or simply a tale of how quickly one can fall from grace might do well to realize he’s not gouging out his eyes, committing seppuku, taking the black, or in line at a soup kitchen. He won’t spend a second in an actual pillory or shunned in any way he cares about. He’s not even remotely contrite or comprehending of the fuss and he is certain we have no right to judge him.

What is most on my mind is how two minutes of him being himself matter more to everyone than an entire lifetime of being himself. This guy didn’t misspeak or put his foot in his mouth or slip up. Sterling knows in his heart that old rich white men are better in every sense than anyone else. Not in the benign way that you think you’re a better driver or cook than someone else, but in the way that assumes anyone who is not a white male isn’t a human being.

The stench of that world view is impossible to hide, especially if you’re so rich you can command attention from anyone. How many times a day, in how many situations, has Sterling simply spoken his mind? Perhaps he has never been honest in a room full of basketball players, but I’m sure he felt he had the right to do so. After all, he owned them and gave them everything they owned.

I wonder about the enablers and yes-men who surround Sterling still. The people who didn’t leave the room when he entered or, worse, accepted his invitation to dinner or parties. The people who never said “shut the fuck up you spoiled bastard.” Would you speak your mind to this guy if he were your boss? 

Election, loco

What qualifies this guy to judge 800 probate cases per year?

From his lofty language, you’d think this guy is running for the Senate. He’s running to be a judge. But his blog post sounds very much like this is a stepping stone, not a job.

Judge Willow Parks, the incumbent, worked her way out of poverty and through law school. She is very qualified and experienced. She deserves your support. Please spread the word about how important this primary election is. Keep Judge Parks

Dominic Levi Lafayette shared his status update. – Dominic Levi Lafayette

That’s why I am running for office. It’s time we no longer elect the elite to office. We are not like the Ancient Romans who elected rich, noble patricians to the senate. Roman society rotted from the inside, and died.

Dominic Levi Lafayette shared his status update. – Dominic Levi Lafayette

abqjournal, Election, NADA - New American Dark Ages, WTF?!

Keystone XL pipeline would be a disaster

Keystone is NOT about energy independence or security for the US. (Oil is NOT about the future.) Keystone makes money for Canada, China, and somebody in the US who is already sickeningly rich. This columnist has a puzzling tone for a union rep. He might as well argue that there will be jobs cleaning up the spills, pollution, and dead wildlife. KILL Keystone!

Keystone XL pipeline derailed by billion-dollar man | Albuquerque Journal News

By Terry O’Sullivan / Special To The Washington Post
PUBLISHED: Monday, April 28, 2014 at 12:05 am

Upon the latest exasperating delay of the Keystone XL pipeline project, our union – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – suggested that the Obama administration grow a set of antlers or take a lesson from Popeye and eat some spinach.

After all, the evidence points to federal approval of the pipeline. After nearly six years of delay, thousands of pages of research, five environmental impact statements confirming the evidence and millions of public comments, a pipeline that could put thousands of Americans to work and help ensure our nation’s energy security remains stalled.

The evidence is clear: It’s the politics that are tricky. And that’s where courage comes in. [mjh: barf] 

No one seriously believes that the administration’s nearly-dark-of-night announcement last week, on Good Friday, that the pipeline would again be delayed was anything but politically motivated.

For the record, our union was among those that twice supported the Obama-Biden ticket, and we continue to support many of the president’s initiatives. But that does not negate our right and obligation to speak out when, because of politics, the administration fails to stand up for working people and the men and women we represent.

It’s not the one-person, one-vote politics that underpins the administration’s actions on Keystone. Public opinion surveys have consistently found strong majority support for the project, while not a single poll has shown majority opposition. Rather, the kind of politics the administration claims to disdain has taken control.

Keystone XL pipeline derailed by billion-dollar man | Albuquerque Journal News

A majority of the US favors a lot of stupid and dangerous things, especially when they are lied to about benefits and risks. KILL Keystone!

Health

The study of Darwinian gastronomy

I recommend this short, interesting article.

Food bacteria-spice survey shows why some cultures like it hot | Cornell Chronicle

Garlic, onion, allspice and oregano, for example, were found to be the best all-around bacteria killers (they kill everything), followed by thyme, cinnamon, tarragon and cumin (any of which kill up to 80 percent of bacteria). Capsicums, including chilies and other hot peppers, are in the middle of the antimicrobial pack (killing or inhibiting up to 75 percent of bacteria), while pepper of the white or black variety inhibits 25 percent of bacteria, as do ginger, anise seed, celery seed and the juices of lemons and limes.

The Cornell researchers report in the article, “Countries with hotter climates used spices more frequently than countries with cooler climates. …”

Food bacteria-spice survey shows why some cultures like it hot | Cornell Chronicle

The Atheist's Pulpit, WTF?!

God damn this foul wind!

I would laugh at the notion of Mother Earth, our nurturing Gaia, but I do not want a mouth full of sand. This wind is vile and maddening and the one thing in all the world that will never end.

Unhinged (a seasonal poem) » mjh’s blog

The man rages
red-faced,
arms flailing,
he sputters and fumes.
Impotent fury.
The wind blowing fiercely
whips away his whining,
rattles and flaps
his windows and doors.
Unhinged, he rants.
His sensibility scatters
in the rubble of his composure.
The wind —
this damn wind —
wins. mjh

Listen to Unhinged

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(<1 min)

previously posted Fri 04/16/10 at 11:47 am

My Virtual Chapbook (table of contents)

Unhinged (a seasonal poem) » mjh’s blog

APD

Another Person Dead and APD is stingy with facts in the matter

I’ve rearrange the info from the linked article into a more cogent timeline. It doesn’t make sense.

  1. The truck was reported stolen April 10 [2 weeks prior to shooting]
  2. police spotted Hawkes driving a stolen Ford F-150 pickup truck at 3 a.m
  3. An officer tailed her, but she disappeared
  4. officer spotted the truck abandoned and identified Hawkes through items left inside the truck [what items?]
  5. officer then found a prior address of Hawkes, at a nearby trailer park [see next item]
  6. Hawkes has never been a resident at the park [see previous two items]
  7. At 5am, police blockade park and announce they will release dogs [two hours after sighting Hawkes]
  8. multiple residents saw Hawkes jump the park’s east wall and run across Wyoming minutes before shots were heard
  9. Hawkes encountered Dear on the east side of Wyoming.
  10. Eden said “preliminary evidence” suggests Hawkes pulled out the handgun and pointed it at Dear

It is crucial for APD to specify what items were found and how they led to a park Hawkes was not a resident of. Note that Hawkes was known to sleep in vehicles.

APD chief: No lapel video available in fatal shooting of Mary Hawkes | Albuquerque Journal News

Eden said the callout happened after police spotted Hawkes driving a stolen Ford F-150 pickup truck at 3 a.m. An officer tailed her, but she disappeared.

Later, the officer spotted the truck abandoned and identified Hawkes through items left inside the truck, Eden said. The truck was reported stolen April 10, he said.

The officer then found a prior address of Hawkes, at a nearby trailer park, and set up a perimeter. Sometime between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. a police SUV blocked the only entrance to the trailer park and another police SUV drove through the park, announcing over a loudspeaker for everyone to stay in their homes and close windows and doors, said James Tull, who is staying in the park.

Police “said they were going to turn the dogs loose,” Tull said.

Chris Trammell, who manages the trailer park, said multiple residents saw Hawkes jump the park’s east wall and run across Wyoming minutes before shots were heard. He said Hawkes has never been a resident at the park.

Hawkes encountered Dear on the east side of Wyoming. Eden said “preliminary evidence” suggests Hawkes pulled out the handgun and pointed it at Dear, but he would not say where that evidence came from.

APD chief: No lapel video available in fatal shooting of Mary Hawkes | Albuquerque Journal News

Election, NADA - New American Dark Ages, WTF?!

Were 60s radicals half as bad as today’s Radical Right?

Those who were out to destroy the government 50 years ago pale in comparison to those who are out to destroy the government today. The Radical Left was outside. The Radical Right is deep inside. Violence? Somehow it was avoided in Nevada, where the loonies claim to own public land. However, I’d like someone to compare the body count for the Weathermen vs the anti-abortion zealots. Meanwhile, no 60s radical has made it onto the Supreme Court, which every day serves the agenda of the Koch Brothers, ad nauseum.

Webber support from ex-radical slammed | Albuquerque Journal News

By James Monteleone / Journal Staff Writer
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 6:46 am

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alan Webber is drawing criticism from Republicans after a news report that the Santa Fe entrepreneur’s campaign is backed by a former member of the Vietnam-era radical leftist group Weather Underground.

RUDD: Renounced Weather Underground role long ago

Mark Rudd, a longtime Albuquerque-area resident and retired instructor at Central New Mexico Community College, was a co-founder of the group, known for bombing dozens of government buildings and banks across the country during the late ’60s and early ’70s in protest of the Vietnam War. Rudd years ago renounced his involvement in the Weather Underground.

Rudd, in a telephone interview Tuesday, said he endorsed Webber in the New Mexico governor’s race after hearing the candidate speak during a fundraiser hosted by his wife, Marla Painter, at the couple’s South Valley home on April 12. The event raised about $1,100 for Webber’s campaign, currently against four Democratic opponents.

Webber, in a prepared statement this week on Rudd’s endorsement, said: “I just met Mark Rudd. Of course I denounce terrorism and understand Mark Rudd regrets his involvement with the radical anti-government group from the 1960s. For over three decades Mark Rudd has been a teacher at CNM, a community activist, and an advocate of nonviolence. If Gov. Martinez wants to discuss her supporters, she should start with the Koch brothers and Sarah Palin.”

Webber support from ex-radical slammed | Albuquerque Journal News

Kudos to Webber for that last remark.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." — Sam Adams