Monday, February 03, 2025
Sunday, February 02, 2025
Washington Post--Trump has repeatedly insulted the Nation's Capital.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/interactive/2025/trump-words-dc/
Saturday, February 01, 2025
Air Traffic Controllers hit back at trump--
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/air-traffic-control-union-dei-staffing-trump-plane-crash
Stats--workforce is understaffed and predominantly white--so what the heck is DJT talking about??
Invincible--comic--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible_(comics)
Quite beautiful,bu also quite violent--like The Incredibles--which I think I like better.
Steven Yeun--Actor--in Invincible--I am so happy to see Asian-Americans like me doing so well--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Yeun
It makes America seem less strange.
I remember in Berlin in 2004, when I was struggling to get up onto a 5 foot wall, and an Asian woman in the line extended her hand and pulled me up.
Americans when overseas recognize and help each other--not so much at home, where it's like "Why don't you do it yourself."
You also learn to "kill rude or racist people with courtesy."
Sometimes I say "Thank you so much," to see people cringe with guilt.
You meet strange people everywhere, and you also meet kind people--it's strange.
Strangers have helped me more than people I knew already.
The worst could be fellow Burmese who talk in a snide, jealous way.
But people all come and go--we are all just visiting.
An Arab? taxi driver taking me to the airport in Amsterdam said, "Oh Madam, that's not right. You haven't seen your brother for 20 years?"
At 1 AM one Thanksgiving, I got into Union Station very late as the train was delayed. A nice couple let me have their taxi. The taxi driver said, "Oh, Ma'am, it's not right you not having a religion. Whom do you pray to?"
I rcognized him as Ethiopian.
But usually I don't talk to strangers.
But sometimes I do.
On the whole I think Lyft or Uber are safer.
The Dutch are friendly--maybe bc they depend on tourism or the Allies saved them from Hitler.
I didn't like Germany that much.
I'm very sure I won't like Yangon at all.
I didn't like London that much either--so small, so tight.
But I liked my childhood there.
I never really liked Burma, come to think of it.
I didn't like UNW and Aunty Kitty at all.
The moving water puppet show.
kmk
1-31-2025
Friday, January 31, 2025
Samuel P. Huntington wrote creedal passions hled/hold America together--I'm not so sure these days.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Politics-Disharmony-Samuel-Huntington/dp/0674030214
But this is a very good book.
I saw him once from a distance at a Boulder, CO conference.
Here it comes--from Telegraph--copied and pasted--US Flight safety chief resigned last month due to pressure from Musk,
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/01/31/washington-plane-crash-trump-air-traffic-control-latest-new/
Workers search the wreckage in Potomac River, as flights resume Credit: U.S. COAST GUARD
11:42AM
US flight safety chief resigned last week
Michael Whitaker, the US government’s aviation chief, stood down earlier this month amid pressure from Elon Musk.
The Tesla billionaire tapped by Donald Trump to run the Department of Government Efficiency had publicly called on the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resign.
Mr Whitaker stepped away on 20 January, the day of Donald Trump’s inauguration, after around 15 months in the job.
As a result, the FAA was leaderless when a passenger jet collided with a helicopter over Washington D.C.
Hours after the crash, Donald Trump signed an executive order installing Chris Rocheleau as acting administrator of FAA.
He needs to resign https://t.co/pG8htfTYHb
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 25, 2024
Ban Chiang Ceramics--
AI Overview
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Ban Chiang 500 BC Ancient Thailand Large Bichrome Terracotta Pottery
Ban Chiang is a type of ancient Thai pottery that dates back to around 3600 BCE. The pottery is known for its distinctive red pattern, which is sometimes called the "Ban Chiang Rope".
Discovery and significance:
The Ban Chiang site is located in the Udon Thani Province of Thailand.
The site was discovered in the 1950s when villagers found broken pottery with a red pattern.
In 1992, UNESCO named the site a World Heritage Site.
The site is considered one of the most important prehistoric settlements in Southeast Asia.
Characteristics:
Early Ban Chiang pottery was undecorated, while later pieces were carved with geometric patterns.
The pottery was made of earthenware and often took the form of cylinders or round vases.
The pottery had axial perforations, which indicate that people at the time knew how to use tools.
Other Thai ceramics:
Ban Kao
Another type of prehistoric Thai pottery that was found in the Kanchanburi Province.
Mons
A kingdom that emerged around the 1st century CE, and used ceramics for religious symbols and building decorations.
Khmers
A people who appeared around the 9th century CE, and are known for their stone and bronze sculptures.
Thai ceramics - Wikipedia
The earliest trace of Thai ceramics ever recorded is the Ban Chiang, said to date back to about 3600 BCE and found in what is the ...
Wikipedia
Ban Chiang Pottery: From Prehistoric Civilization to Modern ...
Jun 29, 2021 — Share: For Thais and ceramic enthusiasts everywhere, the name Ban Chiang (บ้านเชียง)conjures up an image of uniquely pai...
Thailand Foundation
Generative AI is experimental.
The earliest trace of Thai ceramics ever recorded is the Ban Chiang, said to date back to about 3600 BCE and found in what is the present day Udon Thani Province, Thailand. The ceramics were earthenware. Common forms of excavated artifacts were cylinders and round vases.
Thai ceramics - Wikipedia
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Thai_ceramics
Substack to which Jim Acosta is moving--
https://substack.com/signup?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=book
I think I'll move too.
I previously had a Substack bc 2 women sent me a women writer they liked, but I didn't like that writing--so I didn't use it much.
My Twitter went down when it became X.
I deleted my FB in 2016 bc too many fake accts.
But following in Acosta's footsteps is not a bad idea.
I had it with jerk boss at RFA.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Statement from American Association of People with Disabilities--"Extremely inappropriate"--yes, divisive.
Disabilities group blasts Trump's claims on DEI
The American Association of People with Disabilities posted a message on social media saying, "FAA employees with disabilities did not cause last night's tragic plane crash. The investigation into the crash is still ongoing. It is extremely inappropriate for the President to use this tragedy to push an anti-diversity hiring agenda. Doing so makes all Americans less safe.''
At Thursday's briefing, Homendy also responded to Trump's statements on DEI: "As part of any investigation, we look at the human, the machine and the environment, so we will look at all the humans that were involved in this accident. Again, we will look at the aircraft, we will look at the helicopter, we will look at the environment in which they were operating in. That is standard in any part of our investigation.''
Quote of the day--from my dear Friend and Democracy Colleague--DawTaw Myo Myint--who died of cancer--2004.
"What? Do they think we grewup eating shit????"
Rest ib Truth--photo from Internet.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
AI--Russia in 500 years.
AI Overview
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Predicting Russia's state 500 years from now is highly speculative, but considering current trends and historical patterns, it could potentially be a significantly smaller, geographically focused nation with a drastically altered political landscape, possibly with a more decentralized government, potentially facing major demographic challenges due to a declining population, and likely experiencing significant climate change impacts, potentially leading to economic shifts towards adaptation strategies.
Key factors to consider:
Demographic changes:
Russia currently faces a declining birth rate and an aging population, which could lead to a significantly smaller population in 500 years, impacting its economic and military power.
Climate change:
With rising global temperatures, Siberia could become more accessible for resource extraction, but climate-related challenges like extreme weather events and melting permafrost could pose significant problems for infrastructure and coastal regions.
Political landscape:
The current political system could undergo significant changes, potentially leading to a more democratic or decentralized government structure, or even a fragmentation into smaller, independent states depending on internal political dynamics.
Economic shifts:
Russia's economy may shift away from reliance on fossil fuels due to global environmental concerns, potentially leading to new industries focused on renewable energy and technological innovation.
Geopolitical dynamics:
International relations and power dynamics could change drastically in 500 years, potentially leading to a shift in Russia's geopolitical influence on the world stage.
Possible scenarios:
A smaller, more focused Russia:
With a shrinking population, Russia could become more geographically concentrated around its core European territories, potentially leading to a reduction in its overall landmass.
A technologically advanced Russia:
If Russia invests heavily in research and development, it could become a major player in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, potentially leading to economic growth and international influence.
A fragmented Russia:
Internal political instability could lead to the break-up of the Russian Federation into smaller, independent states, depending on ethnic and regional tensions.
Important considerations:
Unpredictable events:
Major unforeseen events like global conflicts, technological breakthroughs, or natural disasters could significantly alter the trajectory of Russia's future.
Social and cultural changes:
Shifts in social norms, cultural values, and education systems could also significantly impact Russia's development over such a long time frame.
Ch 1: Russia's Historical Roots
Russia grew as a multinational and multicultural empire along with the Western European empires, but there was an important differ...
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Expansion of Russia (1500–1800) - Wikipedia
The Russians: In the early 15th century, Tsardom of Russia gradually expanded, defeating various khanates in the process. Its auto...
Wikipedia
Russian Empire - Wikipedia
At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about 22,800,000 km2 (8,800,000 sq mi), roughly one-sixth of the world's landma...
Wikipedia
Show all Generative AI is experimental.
Earth is wobbling more--
AI Overview
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Yes, the Earth is currently wobbling more than before, primarily due to the melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, which redistributes the Earth's mass and causes its rotational axis to shift, a phenomenon directly linked to human-induced climate change; this shift in the axis is often referred to as "polar motion" and results in a noticeable wobble as the Earth spins.
Key points about Earth's wobble:
Cause:
Melting ice from glaciers, particularly in Greenland, is the main contributor to the increased wobble, as the melted water is redistributed across the globe, altering the Earth's mass distribution.
Mechanism:
As ice melts, the weight on the poles decreases, causing the Earth's axis to shift slightly.
Other factors:
Aside from ice melt, the Earth's mantle convection (movement of molten rock within the Earth) also plays a role in the wobble.
Impact:
While the wobble is not large enough to significantly affect daily life, it can impact navigation systems and is a key indicator of climate change.
NASA Study Solves Two Mysteries About Wobbling Earth
Apr 8, 2016 — Around the year 2000, Earth's spin axis took an abrupt turn toward the east and is now drifting almost twice as fast as...
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Earth is wobbling and days are getting longer - Space.com
Jul 27, 2024 — New studies, which utilized AI to monitor the effects of climate change on Earth's spin, have shown that our days are ...
Space.com
Earth Is Spinning Faster Because Of A New 'Wobble ... - Forbes
Aug 3, 2022 — There are a number of short-term reasons for the sudden slowing of Earth's rotation, from seismic activity and motions ...
Forbes
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Generative AI is experimental.
What South Asia will be like 500 years from now.
AI Overview
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Looking 500 years into the future, South Asia is likely to see a significantly altered landscape due to factors like population growth, climate change, economic development, and technological advancements, potentially leading to a region with a more urbanized population, a greater focus on renewable energy, and a more interconnected global presence, though the exact details will depend on complex political and social dynamics within the region.
Key potential changes in South Asia 500 years from now:
Demographic shifts:
Aging population: With improved healthcare, life expectancy is expected to rise, leading to a larger elderly population across South Asian countries.
Urbanization: Most of the population could be living in urban centers due to migration from rural areas, potentially creating mega-cities with complex challenges like infrastructure management.
Possible population stabilization: Population growth rates may slow down due to factors like increased access to education and family planning initiatives.
Economic development:
Advanced economy: South Asian countries could become major players in the global economy with significant economic growth driven by technological innovation and diversification into new industries.
Shifting economic focus: The region may see a transition from labor-intensive industries to more knowledge-based sectors like technology and services.
Regional integration: Increased trade and economic cooperation between South Asian nations could lead to a more integrated market.
Climate change impacts:
Adaptation and mitigation strategies: South Asian nations might need to implement robust climate change adaptation measures to address issues like sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and water scarcity.
Renewable energy dominance: Increased reliance on renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to combat climate change.
Social and cultural changes:
Improved access to education and healthcare: Widespread access to quality education and healthcare could lead to significant social progress, including increased gender equality.
Cultural exchange: Greater global connectivity could lead to further cultural exchange and hybrid identities within South Asia.
Technological advancements: Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics could be widely integrated into daily life, impacting various aspects of society.
Important considerations:
Political stability:
The political landscape within each South Asian nation will significantly influence its trajectory over the next 500 years.
Inequality challenges:
Addressing existing social and economic inequalities will be crucial for achieving equitable development across the region.
Global trends:
Global events like geopolitical shifts and technological breakthroughs will also impact South Asia's future.
South Asia, 1–500 A.D. | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
assumes ritual and artistic form, and Hindu sculptures and temples proliferate. ... South Indian kingdoms also engage in extensive...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Southeast Asia, 500–1000 A.D. | Chronology
Key Events * ca. 500. The first identifiable Thai speakers emigrate from southeastern China into northeastern Laos. ... * 500–600...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
South Asia: North, 500–1000 A.D. | Chronology
Hindu temples dominate the physical and cultural landscape of dynamic urban centers, patronized by powerful kings and managed by B...
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Generative AI is experimental.
AI--what world will be like 500 years from now.
AI Overview
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It's difficult to predict what the world will be like in 500 years because many factors could affect it. Some possible changes include:
Climate change
Rising temperatures could cause extreme weather events like heat waves, droughts, and storms. This could lead to land changes and migration of species to more suitable climates.
Sea level rise
Rising sea levels could reduce the amount of land available.
Technology
New technologies could improve our lives, but they may not be enough to solve climate change.
Human life span
The average human life span could increase, and genetic engineering could allow humans to live even longer.
Space exploration
Humans could travel to other planets and live in colonies on the moon and Mars.
Species extinction
The warming planet could put all living forms at risk, and some species could migrate or become extinct.
Human migration
People could migrate to more suitable climates, and urban centers could experience conflict.
Next 500 Years. Immortality to Teleportation: 25… | by Erman ...
The future of the world depends in large part on how willing humans are to change their ways.
What will the Earth be like in 500 years? - The Conversation
Aug 2, 2021 — That's what Earth is facing right now. These changes could lead to a very different planet in 500 years, depending in l...
The Conversation
When Is the Earth Going to End? - Science | HowStuffWorks
Sep 28, 2023 — A Futurist's Perspective. What other technologies will shape the world of the 26th century? Futurist and author Adrian...
Science | HowStuffWorks
What will Earth look like in 500 years? - Hidropolitik Akademi
Oct 21, 2018 — CLIMATE CHANGE AND MIGRATION * Antalya International Science Forum (ANISF 2023) was completed. " Climate Change, Envi...
Hidropolitik Akademi
Show all
Generative AI is experimental.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Alpha Reader--
AI Overview
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Alpha Reader: What They Do (and How to Find Them)
An "alpha reader" is a person who reads a writer's very first draft of a manuscript, providing feedback on the overall story structure, character development, plot points, and pacing, essentially helping identify major issues and areas for improvement before more detailed editing takes place; they are the first set of eyes on your story other than your own, offering high-level critique on the story's foundation.
Key points about alpha readers:
Early stage feedback:
They read the manuscript in its roughest form, focusing on big picture concerns rather than grammar or typos.
Honest critique:
Alpha readers should be able to provide honest feedback, even if it means pointing out major flaws or inconsistencies in the story.
Trustworthy source:
It's important to choose someone you trust to give constructive criticism and understand your writing style.
Compared to beta readers:
While both provide feedback, beta readers usually come in after the first round of edits and focus on finer details like character consistency and plot holes.
Trying to live down her nude past photos--
https://www.aol.com/melania-trump-serves-power-pose-202332417.html
Thread--If Sino-Burmese War--(with Manchu Banners) had not happened--would Taksin (not the present Taksin Shinawatre of course)
been able to unify Siam/Ayutthaya Kingdom--later?
This Q seems to me to be an If question--
but interesting as it shows--Taksin already active before 1767.
https://historum.com/t/if-the-sino-burmese-war-never-happened-would-thailand-still-be-an-independent-nation-till-today.197292/
Answer to Did Hsinbyushin go to Ayutthaya himself or did he just send troops?
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https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/acwfanon/images/7/74/%E4%B8%8B%E8%BC%89_%2815%29.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20230527151445
Yes, Hsinbyushin, the third king of the Burmese Konbaung dynasty, led his armies to Ayutthaya in 1767, reducing it to ruins. The siege of Ayutthaya was part of the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767).
Explanation
Hsinbyushin was determined to conquer Ayutthaya, which his father, King Alaungpaya, had been unable to do.
Hsinbyushin's armies reached the outskirts of Ayutthaya in January 1766 and laid siege.
In 1767, the Burmese army burned the city to the ground, forcing the inhabitants to flee.
The king, members of the royal family, and thousands of captives were deported to Burma.
All Ayutthayan records were burned and its works of art destroyed.
The city was never rebuilt in the same location and is now an archaeological site.
The Burmese–Siamese War was a continuation of the war of 1759–1760, which was fought over the control of the Tenasserim coast and its trade.
Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) - Wikipedia
Cause of the war. At his ascension in 1764, the new Burmese king Hsinbyushin was determined to accomplish the unfinished mission o...
Wikipedia
Siege of Ayutthaya (1766–1767) - Wikipedia
The siege of Ayutthaya in 1766–1767, also known as the Fall of Ayutthaya and Sack of Ayutthaya, was a part of the Burmese–Siamese ...
Wikipedia
Hsinbyushin | Burmese ruler, Mon dynasty - Britannica
Jan 1, 2025 — In 1764 Hsinbyushin, third king of the dynasty, restored order and renewed the conquest of Ayutthaya, which he reduced ...
Britannica
Show all Generative AI is experimental. During the Burmese invasion of Siam in 1765, King Hsinbyushin had sent his armies into Siam in pincer movement attacks to converge on Ayutthaya through two routes; A Tavoy column under Maha Nawrahta with 20,000 men, leaving Ava in December 1764 and stationing at Tavoy on the Tenasserim coast. Siege of Ayutthaya (1766–1767) - Wikipedia Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org About featured snippets • Feedback Hsinbyushin Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org His 1765 invasion of Ayutthaya brought an end to the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The near simultaneous victories over Qing and Siam has been referred to as testimony "to ...
Monday, January 27, 2025
Cimate Power: Trump's failures on Heat and Drought.
https://climatepower.us/research-polling/trumps-failures-on-extreme-heat-and-drought/
Sunday, January 26, 2025
From AP--trade war with Columbia over trump deportations--in US Military aircraft.
Trump added that all Colombians will face enhanced customs inspections.
Trump’s actions would seem to undercut his goal to reduce his country’s trade deficit. Unlike Mexico or China, Colombia is one of the few countries with a trade deficit with the U.S., of around $1.4 billion, according to U.S. trade data.
Colombia is the U.S.’s second biggest buyer of corn and corn feed, according to the U.S. grains council, helping boost U.S. commodity exports from farm belt states like Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska to more than $733 million last year.
The U.S. export boom has been driven by a two-decade-old free trade agreement between the two countries, which have for long been close partners in the war on drugs. It is unclear if Trump’s tariffs are allowed under the agreement, which contains a dispute mechanism to resolve trade fights.
Colombia is the U.S.’s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil, shipping about 209,000 barrels of oil per day last year, although booming domestic production has reduced the U.S.’ dependence on foreign oil. The South American country is also the U.S.’s largest supplier of fresh cut flowers.
___
Regina Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Jill Colvin in New York, Joshua Goodman in Miami, and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
https://apnews.com/article/colombia-immigration-deportation-flights-petro-trump-us-67870e41556c5d8791d22ec6767049fd
Matthew (Matt) Pottinger, from wiki
Matthew Forbes Pottinger (/ˈpɒtɪndʒər/ POT-in-jər;[2] born 1973) is an American former journalist and U.S. Marine Corps officer who served as the United States deputy national security advisor from September 22, 2019 to January 7, 2021.[3] Previously Asia director on the National Security Council since 2017, his tenure was unusual among senior aides serving under President Trump for its length, given an administration marked by high turnover.[4] Pottinger worked to develop the Trump administration's policies towards China.[5][6]
Pottinger resigned in the afternoon of January 6, in response to the 2021 United States Capitol attack. He left the White House the following morning.[7]
Pottinger currently serves as Chairman of the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).[8]
Yet more:
Hours after Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, 2025, Milley's official portrait was removed from a Pentagon corridor where the portraits of all former chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are displayed. A U.S. official told the New York Times that "the White House" had ordered the removal.[5][174]
More--
In 2024, Milley said he feared being court-martialed if Trump were to be reelected. He also called Trump the "most dangerous person ever" and said that Trump was a "fascist to the core".[161] Trump was reelected as president on November 5, 2024.
More from Mark Milley wiki:
Unsent resignation letter
Milley reportedly considered resigning over the incident in front of the St. John's Church, going so far as to draft a highly critical resignation letter to President Trump, but then deciding against handing the letter over to him. The resignation letter draft was later published in 2022.[85] At the last minute before submitting the resignation letter to the president, Milley opted against resignation and instead apologized for his presence at the St. John's Church incident in a video recorded as his commencement address at the National Defense University on 11 June. At the commencement speech he explained that he should not have been at the event because his presence created a perception of military involvement in domestic politics.[86][87]
From Mark Milley wiki:
According to Peril, Milley attended the walk in combat fatigues as he had been summoned away at short notice from a planned visit to an FBI operations center, and immediately departed once he and Esper realized the political implications of the walk, saying that he felt "sick" and was "fucking done with this shit" to Esper.[80][81] As a result, Milley was not present for Trump's photo op at St. John's Church.[80][82] The House Armed Services Committee subsequently requested that Esper and Milley testify before the committee about the military's role in the George Floyd protests, which they did on 9 July.[83][84]
Unsent resignation letter
In the Land of Saints and Sinners--Liam Neeson as a free lance hitman--Warning--violence, killings, blood, IRA,
Also beautiful Ireland and Irish accents.
Liked this movie a lot too.
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Wow--I just infinished reading Colleen Hoover's Verity and thought, "It would make a greatmovie"--they've already hired a cast.
https://deadline.com/feature/colleen-hoover-books-to-movies-1236038122/
But Anne Hathaway will play Verity--not an empathetic role--I wonder how that will go down.
From WAPO wiki--
In 2009, after 37 years, with great reader outcries and protest, The Washington Post Book World as a standalone insert was discontinued, the last issue being Sunday, February 15, 2009,[65] along with a general reorganiz
. . .
Eleven days prior to the 2024 presidential election, CEO and publisher William Lewis announced that the Post would not endorse a candidate for 2024. It was the first time since the 1988 presidential election that the paper did not endorse the Democratic candidate.
. . .--What I cld not copy and paste--WAPO editors said the Owner himself blocked the draft which endorsed Kamala Harris.
. . . In his book On Tyranny, Snyder wrote that "Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. ... [I]ndividuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked",[155] and he, too, condemned the decision.[156]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Washington_Post
Explainer--Jeff Bezos owns th Washington Post--at the same time he bought the former Textile Museum in DC as one of his homes,
Dupont Circle is where the Obamas currently live, and where Trump's daughter Ivanka used to live during his first admin in a rental.
The MyanmarEmbassy is right next door to the now Bezos property.
Friday Knight Purge-Trump fires 17 Inspectors General.
Top stories
Trump ousts at least 15 independent inspectors general in late-night purge
4 minutes ago
By Lisa Rein, Matt Viser & David Nakamura
CNN
Trump fires inspectors general from more than a dozen federal agencies
1 hour ago
By Annie Grayer, Morgan Rimmer & Manu Raju
The Hill
House Democrats condemn Trump’s inspectors general firings in letter
1 hour ago
By Ashleigh Fields
ABC News
Trump fires 17 independent watchdogs at multiple agencies in late-night move
3 hours ago
By Katherine Faulders, Benjamin Siegel & Allison Pecorin
Yes, WH Spanish website removed under Trump:
KREM.com
VERIFYING changes to the White House website under the new administration
Claim: White House Spanish, Constitution webpage removed when Trump took office
Fact check by KREM.com: True. The pages were removed but overhauling the website is not uncommon
Yesterday
AI--Which is older, the Buddha or the Kama Sutra--Hinduism is older than Buddhism--Jain is the same age as Buddhism.
AI Overview
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Antique Bronze Kama Sutra Buddha and Lady Figure (This is not accurate--it is Tibetan metaphor)'
The Buddha is older than the Kamasutra. The Buddha was born around 563 BCE or 480 BCE, while the Kamasutra was likely written between 400 BCE and 300 CE.
Explanation
The Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born in Lumbini, Shakya Republic, around 563 BCE or 480 BCE. He became enlightened at age 35 and died in Kushinagar, Malla republic, around 483 BCE or 400 BCE.
The Kamasutra
The Kamasutra is an ancient Indian Hindu text written in Sanskrit by Vatsyayana. The exact date of its composition is unknown, but historians believe it was written between 400 BCE and 300 CE.
The Kamasutra is a guide to kama, which is one of the four goals of Hindu life and encompasses all pleasure and desire. It is considered a standard work on human sexual behavior.
This looks like a fictional recreation--how did they get the pics and why does the seating change--
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvSZiSLEJ4g
However,Keanu Reeves, actor,has been compared to Christ (on a city mural) for his charity work.
Friday, January 24, 2025
Vargas Llosa--Feast of the Goat--last days of Dominican Republic's dictator--Trujillo
https://www.amazon.com/Feast-Goat-Mario-Vargas-Llosa/dp/0374154767I had this book. I got on a plane and someone was reading it. One scene that stays with me is when Trujillo got old and became incontinent. This book in somewhere in my boxes. I changed subway lines, and in 15 minutes, I saw Gary Jenning's Aztec in the hands of 2 people, at the time I was reading it too. This doesn't happen now bc I travel less I don't commute to work. People read on tablets or Kindle, don't read print books anymore. A pity. Kaung. 4th day of Trump
Black slaves and white plantation owners --
AI Overview
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Love stories between Black slaves and white plantation owners were often forbidden and difficult, but they did happen. These relationships were often exposed by pregnancy.
Examples of love stories
Thomas Wright and Sylvia
Wright, a wealthy landowner in Virginia, lived with his slave Sylvia in the late 1770s. They never married, but Wright freed Sylvia's children and provided for them financially.
Ralph Quarles and Lucy Langston
Quarles, a wealthy Virginia plantation owner, had four children with Langston, a Black woman who became his slave. Quarles emancipated Langston and their children, and provided for them financially.
Mr. Ramey and Ms. Simkins
Mr. Ramey was born into a prominent white family, and Ms. Simkins was born into slavery. Their relationship survived war and family resentment.
Miles and Eliza
Miles and Eliza found their way back to each other after the war. They lived together, but faced difficulties.
Books about these relationships
Wench
By Dolen Perkins Valdez, this book explores the taboo relationships between slaves and their masters.
The Secret Life of Bacon Tait
By Hank Trent, this book tells the story of Bacon Tait, a white slave trader who was married to a free Black woman.
Factors that affected these relationships
Legal restrictions: Interracial marriage was illegal in many states, including Virginia.
Social expectations: White women were expected to be chaste and virtuous, so their relationships with Black men went against social norms.
Violence: Enslaved women had little ability to avoid sexual violence from white men, which led to many mixed-race children.
The Secret Life of Bacon Tait, a White Slave Trader Married to ...
by Hank Trent. 224 Pages / 5.50 x 8.50 x 0.50 in. Hardcover. 9780807165218. Published: March 2017. $40.00. 9780807165232. Publishe...
LSU Press
Special post--Bo Setkya's Snake Charmer, pdf 1951
We saw this act. A few years later we heard she died too.
The couple were said to live at the back of Bo Setkya's house.
What a way to make a living. To my child's eyes, the act was nothing spectacular, even stupid. Sordid.
https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/fsj-1951-08-august_0.pdf
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
What trump does is he stirs up people to be panicked, then he works through executive orders--Dems short comings are they work through legal
channels, whilehe stretches the limits--and tries to undermine the system.
Enemies Trump made today--
China
GLTQ people
Al Sharpton
ACLU
Jan 6 prosecutors.
Afghan refugees already approved
Some people who voted for him.
He may get on with Modi but--
1 m Indians in immigration line
Possibly Indian-Americans, mostly well-educated in allprofessions.
I flew back from Bangkok one day, and at the immigration line, 2 Indians were annoyed and so was I "But we are US Citizens," they said.
On another trip, a Chinese woman and I were stopped for foodstuffs--what she was carrying was tea leaves (dried). I didn't have anything but I was picked out as only 2 Asians of a certain age.
Yet another trip, Chinese? man in front of me was questioned--"What were you doing in China."
I'm glad I don't travel internationally since 2019.
Pentagon to send over 1500 active duty troops to "secure Wall."
This borders on ridiculous--
https://www.aol.com/pentagon-send-1-500-active-173420192.html
"Active Duty" means they are going to be taken from real conflict areas to "sit" at the wall--
Highly recommended--Danny Glover Interviews Harry Belafonte--2000--Just beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3y2ay7bSU
I had a Black friend in Boulder,CO,Pat Moore, who grew up in Harlem, and knew Langston Hughes, the poet.
I first heard Belafonte's This is my Island in the Sun,in Rangoon in the 1950s, and fromthat time I remembered
the lines--"Eyes were blue, it was not by me."
Now I'm going to write a novel along those lines.
I had a (former?) sis in law who was very proud of her white skin and liked to boast about it in a most peculiar way.
More later--I don't like to talk of long works I have not written yet.
Kaung
1-22-2025
Fiction set in Ceylon/Sri Lanka
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/86096.Fiction_Set_in_Ceylon
I've read Anil's Ghost, which I found in a doctor's waiting room, "Take one,leave one" shelf.
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Only rom com that's both rom and com--no female lead dying, no male lead paralyzed from neck down and also died.
You'll have to find them on your own, but this one is called About Fate.
I can never remember these titles.
key words Griffin, Margot, tattoo.
I can't remember the actors' names either, but this story is real cute.
Right Rev. Marion Budde, who may be gay herself, makes direct plea to trump to "have mercy on people, they are good taxpayers and neighbors"
at prayer service in National Cathedral--
remember, Hitler went after gypsises, disabled, mentally retarded
as T couple and V couple glared at her.
https://www.aol.com/inaugural-prayer-bishop-pleads-trump-195615229.html
The man thinks he can get away with anything.
1-21-2024
trump ball pics--all B & W--no colors and yes, Vance's wife is Indian
Clothese nice enough. but that's not the point.https://www.eonline.com/photos/37469/inside-president-donald-trumps-2025-inaugural-balls
HOW WE RESIST TRUMP AND HIS EXTREME AGENDA
Congress.gov
https://www.congress.gov
PDF
Exposing his Republican enablers in Congress, and voting them out of office in. 2018, with the goal of taking back either the House or the Senate for Democratic.
6 pages
Google search results--How to stop trump--
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=how+to+stop+trump
He may be wooing Sundar Pichai--but there's no sign Pichai has caved.
Have you also noticed, Reddit founder and his wife were not at the inaug, nor was Lady Madonna or Amanda Gorman. That's a good sign.
trump and "drill baby drill."
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/20/trump-executive-order-paris-climate-agreement
He's now set to rape America.
Irrawaddy cartoon--real estate mogul goes global.
https://www.irrawaddy.com/cartoons/the-real-estate-mogul-goes-global.html
He can't beat China.
Either way, US consumers, Chinese workers, you and I will pay.
In due time--
AI Overview
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The quote "retribution in due time" is typically found in the Bible verse Deuteronomy 32:35, which reads: "Vengeance is Mine, and retribution; In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their disaster is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.".
He also said at Inauguration Address--"There will be only 2 genders, male and female."
It looks like he will make millions of new enemies.
To quote from Deuteronomy: In due time their foot will slip.
AP: Who sat where at the inauguration--
https://apnews.com/article/trump-inauguration-who-stood-where-a689828e986838c1735aeef03f3b32b3
The billionaires were very conspicuous.
All the Trumps looked "dressed for a funeral," Melania with a big hat that hid half her face. Again, T cld not land a kiss on her cheek. Old stuff, right. Wonder if her longtime boyfriend, head of Tiffany Jewelry Store's security, is still in the same Trump Tower.
When I turned my TV on, Lauren Sanchez looked a little lost. Not the first time she wore this bustier look. Previous one was red that she wore at WH dinner hosted by Bidens. Eventually, her boyfriend turned back rowards her after chatting with Google Sundar Pichai.
So it goes as Kurt Vonnegutt wrote.
Monday, January 20, 2025
All the shitty things that are happening--Afghan refugees to resettle in USA, already approved are having their flights canceled.
https://www.aol.com/news/exclusive-trump-administration-canceling-flights-220249659.html
trump's new secretary of defense has been approved.
He could no name any ASEAN country.
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Aung San Suu Kyi in Bath? UK - in days before 1988 - from her supporter on Internet. Our Petition is now at 73 signatures. Please help us r...
