I’ve been at an Anishinaabe law conference for the last couple days so I’m posting this blog a day later than usual. Yesterday had such unexpected good news, especially for an independent journalist, that it will be my focus.
I was completely overwhelmed. Now to the details (as of yesterday, it seemed Glenn had the best summarization).
And now, 23 years later, we know all the 9/11 “news” was propaganda (read: lies) and nothing was done to prevent the attack on New York. It was, in fact, a set-up.
{Read about PNAC maybe? That’s how I discovered the truth, way back as the whole thing was being planned for execution; before the twin towers we’re demolished. A perfect controlled implosion. And Bush was the perfect divider… so we focused on him and the dumb things… and the heroes who saved so many (and only recently we’re compensated for their sacrifice, that killed so many of them before they would see any recompense. And Americans never rose up to get real truth because the congressional systems are divided so well now too and they’ve got a great system for investigations… that all work in the favor of lies. Consider the 9/11 Commission a sister to the Warren Commission? [Think Commission of crimes? So, what are out Commissioners up to?] We no longer have statesmen (not even with the addition of stateswomen)who serve the people by building relationships on common goals. Our divided government has been dysfunctional for years now and we see the results all around is. Our own crumbling infrastructure, poverty, lack of health care and education.. yet we can send billions to Ukraine (read: Northrup Grumman and Raytheon) in the name of “democracy” and that send ridiculous because do they want crumbling infrastructure, uneducated children, impoverished families like we have? I’m pretty certain they don’t want the path America has carved for them to get there… bombed infrastructure, terrified children, rape and pillage as war always brings. How can we buy this bullshit any longer? I mean, wasn’t it recently, 60 years after the fact, that we learned that the biggest conspiracy theory of the decades was actually true? They confirmed that the CIA had actually assassinated President Kennedy. And what was our reaction? Pretty nil. If we can accept that the peacenik president was assassinated at the hands of our government agency, just after Ike warned of the takeover of our country by the military industrial complex, and just go about our days as if that’s all a-ok, then perhaps we are earning the seemingly likely Trump presidency to come. Our subjugation is complete. So they keep lying. More and more arrogantly. Read this old blog for more on that and watch for next week’s deep dive of the history: a DanRant. (Link to come.)
And now we’re seeing a domino effect of revelations… From the water in Flint to the news of all the lies during the days of Covid, which for many of us has completely changed our lives. We’re seeing truth. Yet, they’ve assured it’s coming from a place we’ll reject it still? (Hawley & MTG) Hoping both Republicans and Democrats continue drinking the commercial media narratives that all parrot each other regardless of state or city, all using the same headlines .. and we think we retain a 4th estate?
We’re at a point now where commercial media is literally telling us we didn’t see what we just saw or hear what we just heard. Yet we all know that we did. They use sound bites and bits of tiny truths to create larger narratives that create a false sense of reality for most Americans on the nightly “News.” (Feinstein being told how to vote, mini-stroke Mitch, and now frozen Joe.)]
The Empire is being outed. The bipartisan cover-up is clear that our government management is not working for The People. Were they always working Only for the elites’ extractive and destructive profits?
The US Empire is being ousted as African and other colonized places force removal of the military occupiers and are no longer working with the US dollar as a base for their economy.
I’d suggest that maybe we prepare to become the isolated embargoed nation as we have done to so many others before us. A bit of karma coming home for us as we see karma coming home for Israel… as they lose all of their sympathy worldwide due to their own atrocious imperialistic behavior?
Hyper-inflation will likely continue to be the answer from our government managers, completely fixed on profits, not people, as they are. So perhaps do your best to prepare for lean times? Simplify your needs and focus on basics?
More importantly, build relations within your community. Provide what you can to those in need and, in a functional society, we can together help everyone meet their needs. We certainly cannot rely on the government managers who seem to be working only to reduce the number of us “non-essential” (read: not millionaires) personnel.
They call us citizens. So we can’t say they didn’t warn us who we were as non-essentials. A citizen is simply a legally recognized subject of the state.
And what is a subject?
A person under the control of a jurisdiction, typically by using force.
And what is a jurisdiction?
The official power to make legal decisions and judgments regarding subjects.
If you think America offers freedom, you’ve eaten the poison apple of propaganda that is truly domination. Do we not see the Guardians of the newly recognized Space Force as the ones in the clouds watching us…. complete with pop-culture uniforms, logos, flags, and names that will make them feel fun and recognizable as friendly to the very citizens that they are guarding on behalf of the Empire? Do we really think all the manufacturing robots and those assistants that look more and more like humans are meant for our comforts? At present they’re stealing our jobs and in the future they may very well be the ones “guarding” us… again…on behalf of the Empire.
I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be writing a lot more about domination in the near future. I’ve had quite the deepened understanding of law and history following the Niibi Center Anishinaabe law conference. 🤓
Here’s to the great turning that appears to be bringing truth. Perhaps as we find truth, we may, if we’re open and diligent, discover the solidarity and community to also, finally, achieve freedom.
So I responded to a Facebook post this week where someone lamented that they just can’t understand Trump supporters… especially women. That’s what I’m gonna talk about today. And what comes from my writing about it. And, listen, if you’re willing to jump into the Trumpster with me, then PLEASE be aware that it’s gonna be messy. And you aren’t likely to appreciate everything you’re gonna read here. My post below will give you an indication, and I’ll be clear: This is not about party, it’s about RESPECT. Humility. TRUTH. And in the end, perhaps even survival. [We’re farther down so many rabbit holes than we realize and we’re barely beginning to compensate for cumulative impacts.] So… Let me emphasize: You are not likely to appreciate everything you might read here. We will briefly address Gaza too, though you will have to dig to hear it.
So, if you’re queasy about any of that, get off the ride now.
OK. Here’s my post that grew into this blog:
If you take some time to talk with folks, it’s pretty easy to see why some support him. So I’ve found.
I wish we’d find a way to have real conversations about the very real problems we’re all facing because the democratic leadership has quite a long list of reasons to never support them again. It starts with Gaza and includes the Ukraine and the Fed and basically the corporate capture in which we now live here in the US. Oh, and Fauci and the entire crashing of our economy that was the pandemic. At least word is now coming out more about all those shenanigans.
So… what’s the answer? I’m thinking we need enough people voting for Cornell West and Bobby Kennedy that we won’t (get) a formal electoral college win. Meaning…
We might then have to have some real conversations about how to get along and start working together instead of this continued celebratory derision of each other that seems to keep most people entertained while the natural world around us deteriorates into unlivable conditions.
Just a thought.
Spoiler alert: It’s likely turnout will be down? With so many unable to manage to wait a long line to vote when they are juggling three jobs (oh, hey, Dems? That’s because of inflation). And, with all the climate catastrophes in recent years, we’ll see many displaced from their regular voting locales? [There are so many climate migrants we’ve yet to recognize.] And expecting kids to vote (and to this old lady, kids are anyone under 35) feels a bit absurd when we’ve shown them continuously and consistently that the “leaders” are willing to destroy the planet they were hoping to inherit. All that while stealing from them, if not via their labor, through insane student loan interests, or just by using it all up… I mean, who can blame them for hopelessness? All this as we watch so-called “leaders” doing little to nothing… save ALL THEY CAN DO… TO MAKE THINGS WORSE… FASTER!?!?
Permitting for extractive industries is being pushed faster and faster. [It’s as if some hope to eat up the entire planet asap. Do they not have children? I’ve often said (though not sure I’ve blogged it): The addiction we really need to cure is the one to MORE… and unsustainable ways of life.
Enforcement of permitting conditions is a job long left to communities who must beg their Senator to find dollars to do this work – often years after the problems have been impacting them (see Superfund Sites).
We continue to hear of the technological wonders that will save us – ANY MINUTE!!! While these “solutions” require even more extraction to bring them to life (and more raw materials than currently exist on planet Earth…so there’s that).
And gas is now flowing through Mountain Valley Pipeline. Just in time for all those Finish By Second Quarter bonuses!!! Just like Enbridge’s RUSH to finish Line 3/93 and flow tar sands by 10-1-2021… ugh. Yet, what will we do to find funding to clean up when the project – full of concerning failures and reasonable resistance all along the way – ultimately fails? All pipelines fail. Sadly, figures show the newer ones fail at higher rates than old ones. So, there’s that!
Maybe take ten minutes to see how we got here? This short film, focusing on Mississippi River, provided insight to me. Extolling the engineering marvels of locks and levees, it’s a lesson in humility because most of what humans have done has impact natural life in negative ways. And now those impacts are becoming quite negative… even for humans. Mississippi River is dying, yet she will continue, best she can, regardless of human actions. If the Tao has taught me one thing, it is this: Water is an undeniable force.
Speaking of water, we might also consider the places where water is too abundant (Florida) and those where some are finding it difficult to get clean water to end users (Atlanta, Calgary). This latter now includes the largest city in North America with 22 M depending on clean water.
While that’s some concerning news, Caitlin’s latest is a bit encouraging. Thank goodness for (mainly) our US youth. I’m still hopeful for those standing against Genocide. Which… brings us back to the election stuff.
I’m troubled by the use of the “better off than 4 years ago” talk I’m hearing of late because I’m pretty sure the Dems think this is a talking point in their favor (as they watch the Market ‘Do Great!’). My concern is that this is based in complete bullshit as I can’t think of ANYONE who is doing better now than four years ago (save those heavily invested in the market, which ain’t most of us, at least not with any sense of control over those investments which often are via employment retirement plans).
Not that 4 years ago was that great either… to be clear.
In addition to the financial aspects, I’ve seen social aspects that indicate Trump might actually seem a better choice for so many. Not just those who hope in him for a savior (which he sadly won’t be for most of them) but also for those who see him as a problem. [If you never read his platform for the first election, it’s easy to see how you could remain baffled at how so many had faith in Trump. I didn’t read it until election night but I gotta say, it was attractive. Especially for poor rural whites.]
But for the anti-Trumpers, he brought LOADS of people in the streets to reject him, loads of donations flowing to community groups standing for protections of people and place, and solidarity to stand against him with so many awakening to the blatantly obvious oligarchy. Perhaps my favorite reason to like him (though, “like”… meh – not really) was that the people were getting at least SOME of the truth. If only because Trump often liked to say the “quiet parts” out loud. Had we spent less time ridiculing him, and more listening and investigating what he was saying, we might have been far better off.* I can think of a few examples…
I mean, thanks to him, #MeToo came to life, bringing justice for some and relief and encouragement for MILLIONS of women. We saw so many stand together to protect vulnerable people being targeted across the spectrum. We witnessed as (mainly women and children… unironically?) sought justice from environmental to economic to social. We watched the birth of BLM in the wake of George Floyd’s sickening public execution by law enforcement officers who no longer served their public. And now we know of many many more similar places of violence in America which is no surprise for a country whose profits are so firmly based in violence and destruction in the name of democracy? More on that in a moment.
I recently argued with a friend that at least under Trump we weren’t a sedated mass thinking our government was now caring for us – because it’s CLEAR now, THEY WERE NOT. They really haven’t been for a long time. [Though I’ve LONG SAID it all started going downhill fast in the 80s, Dan will tell you it really started when Wallace got bumped. And he’s right.]
So, let’s focus on healthcare [actually just the pandemic, and specifically to Minnesota’s perspective, though in a not too detailed way because, really, the problems are legion…] as evidence of how the government was NOT caring for us. I’ve spent quite a lot of time investigating and watching the COVlD debacle unfold since January 2020 and here’s a short list of my concerns, not necessarily in order of importance. Again, this is the tip of the iceberg.
Minnesota lost a HUGE number of their small businesses during the pandemic. Many of the family owned resorts could not manage to survive through a season or three of reduced capacity and most small businesses had a HUGE burden to comply with MANY rules compared to those big corporate interests so they were unable to open, losing out on business as Big Corps like Target won the day. This also left most consumers with few choices which likely also allowed the Big Corps to raise prices – all based on their own increased costs so they said (though later reports showed much of the increases only raised CEO profits as costs were NOT truly rising for the big corps. Huh.). Oh, and now Fauci has admitted the 6′ rule was based on … NOTHING.
Minnesota lost a HUGE number of her citizens to COVlD. But hey!! Those Federal COVlD dollars gave us a HUGE surplus for using all the specially recommended (read: really expensive) treatments!! Sadly, these ‘treatments’ largely didn’t work (Remdesivier & ventilators), save those that did (monoclonal antibodies, which we too soon saw tossed to the garbage bin by ‘leaders’) so, in the end, we lost lots of folks, even while gaining big refunds for doing-as-told by the CDC. CHA-CHING!!! [Based on the early figures, Minnesota had the second highest earnings per victim than all other states at $380,000. Only West Virginia, at $479K per victim, banked better. So… worth it? I still think not.]
Minnesota still continues to lose on average ten more folks a week, reportedly to COVlD deaths. While, for sure, people die every day… I can attribute some of these deaths to a continued refusal to use proper treatment protocols, or even implementation of cheap and simple precautionary practices that prevent illness, like ensuring everyone has a sufficient level of Vitamin D. (Since no one profits from that one, you’re not likely to be advised on this plan for health? Though it’s a portion of the reason Sweden did so well as they supplement their foods, you know, because their people realize that the lack of sun exposure is an issue to confront. Wow. Smart!)
COVlD vaccines were promoted as Safe and Effective yet most of the people I knew who were vaccinated STILL GOT the illness!! And still are getting it, sadly. Vaccinations, specifically those made with the mRNA liquid nanoparticles, are now being shown to have massively concerning adverse impacts. Though… unfortunately, in the Corporate States of America – where we’re still pushing these mRNA jabs – EVEN FOR BABIES for crying out loud – we will hear little to nothing about these horrific impacts in commercial media. [And THAT is how you know they are STILL NOT caring for us.]
As Fauci and his cohorts come under more investigation, like his sidekick David and his buddy Peter at Ecohealth Alliance, we may yet hear truth about the causes and impacts of the profit-based decision-making of our so-called “leaders”. Yet the news will likely come first from Australia or the UK? Just sayin’! Because commercial media is still “Brought to You by Pfizer!!”
So, if NOW (again) if this IS (again)… THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR TIME (again). Could we – maybe for the first time? – consider voting for someone in whom we ACTUALLY BELIEVE? Instead of voting against someone we oppose?
Voting for the lesser of evils is not Democracy. It’s not the choice of the people as is so clear unless you listen to the talking heads in commercial media. Voting for the lesser of evils along the way has not gotten us out of the hands of evil. It’s simply kept us enslaved by the two-party system that feels like two cheeks of the same ass shitting all over most of us as they fly around the world destroying places (to spend big military dollars) so they can go in and play savior rebuilding (with all the taxpayer dollars from America supporting corporate interests doing this rebuilding work) all while our own communities’ bridges, roads, schools, rural hospitals, water systems all over… continue to get little attention. And are now failing in major ways. Just as the weather gets weirder.
Perhaps voting for things we actually support – which means West for me as the only candidate opposing the Genocide in Gaza – might be something to try? For once?
It’s just an idea.**
* Some of the ridicule that continues about Trump only succeeds in showing how divided those sharing it wish to remain. Some so petty as to make those ridiculing lose their own integrity. And some so seemingly desperate as to make one more keenly aware of how poor a candidate Biden truly is. [As if the latest news is not showing his near total inability to speak at this point. FFS. If that isn’t a sign of the delusion Americans are trying to continue as they proclaim themselves the “Leaders of the Free World!” IDK what is. The Emperor truly has no clothes. Who knew it could manifest so plainly without anyone saying anything about ot? Fiction becoming fact. Joe is nakedly incapable of managing in his position and it’s embarrassing at this point that no one is acting to correct that.]
** Oh, it’s not like I really hold much faith in our systems of voting even. I mean, gerrymandering and campaign finances are just the start of the corruption. [And that’s not to dis all the hardworking poll workers doing their best, amidst all the division, to bring voting opportunities to folks.] Yet I’ll probably mark a ballot sometime this year. We’ll see. Vlad’s in the backyard and the US is still being an asshat, talking about seized Russian assets being used to bomb Russia. [Yeah, we’re always big dicks about it. Pretty much… though, as my money is on Vlad in this fight, I’m really wishing the US would just take a MF breath. For REAL.]
I gotta wonder… When will it be clear to evereyone that Joe (and to be clear, he’s just the puppet figurehead of the Military Industrial Complex and the current Rep for the long reign of insiders pushing agendas) is the source of all the BS over in Ukraine. The US violated the Warsaw Pact. But hey, not like the US has ANY treaties they’ve honored?
Keep your fingers crossed for a nuke-free summer. 100%
Oh, and just one final thought for the die-hards… Is there really any difference between the two mysogynist, likely rapist (do you know how many date rapers there are?), racist, too old, too debilitated, arrogant, mean, creepy puppet-leaders they’re giving us? [I’m not about name calling here, just naming what’s apparent based on behaviors.] I’m simply asking, really? Are these the best offerings?
We all know it isn’t true but what can you do about it? Lemme know if you know.
And then we can talk about how to have a Democracy?
Meanwhile, if you haven’t read/heard the recent Chris Hedges speech, it’s full of warnings we might heed.
This whole system in which we live here in ‘Murica… of property law, a legal system that rarely accounts for the person (except those who have money!), and a military that terrorizes the world to steal resources… is broken. It is unsustainable… and horrifying as we watch its impacts.
The American system has not served the populace for a long time, if ever, truly. The game has been rigged from the beginning for those property owners to keep getting richer and we’re seeing another round of the plebs getting restless as the economy collapses yet again.
It’s a bit astonishing to me to see Biden running on “Bidenomics” as most of the country is seeing that as a failing system. Are they TRYING to help elect Trump??? It’s working. Yet I wondering if there will be any reckoning? The hubris of both currently promoted political parties seems at an all time high.
The genocide in Gaza is a clear example of the failure of the human race.
All other animals find conflict over food – sometimes resulting in one eating another. Yet they’re not killing all the other animals to ensure the food availability for their particular herd and none other.
The way we humans have come to knowledge has often been a traumatic process. Whether it’s cutting apart fellow human beings in order to understand our biology or dropping a nuclear armament on a populace – not once but twice – just to see how good it is a killing things, we often learn through destruction and loss. It seems this may be the way we extinct ourselves too… by failing to recognize the importance of the very planet upon which we live, the beings upon whom we depend for our mutual existence, and perhaps most importantly the clean water and air that we require to sustain ourselves in every moment.
In our hubris we have planned most outrageous of nonsense in our attempts to maintain our comforts and an illusion of security… to “improve” or “simplify” or ” ease” our lives. We created air conditioning, airplanes, automatic everything. And that’s just a few of the As! We’ve created missiles, bombs, and guns in our attempts to control… while not recognizing the very laws of physics we so brightly imagined! We who speak a noun-based language often find ourselves believing we have more control than we truly do. But look at that word “believing”… there’s a “lie” in the middle of it.
We forget that control is an illusion. As is power. The only reason power thinks it has control is because of violence. But fear-induced control is not true power. It’s only a hurtful game of pretend and pretense.
It’s sad how poorly humans can truly see their fellow inhabitants. As a species many in authority have seemed to focus on domination rather than cooperation, profits instead of people.
Perhaps that’s why we have a Department of War… and not a Department of Peace?
If I vote at all, it will be for Cornell. The only candidate currently opposed to the active genocide happening every day here on Planet Earth.
Billions to Ukraine and Palestine to kill children, yet 5-1/2 pages of mortgage foreclosures in the Strib the day I got here to cat sit. Been watching and some days are pretty scary. Where are all these people being counted? Where are they going?
Glad you encouraged me to read the paper while I’m here. Is everyone else reading it? Is this normal now to see all these foreclosures day after day?
I have friends who have struggled to find affordable housing in 2023. I watch as food prices are skyrocketing and wonder how working class families are getting fed. I’m failing to see the success in our economy where I live.. . and in my community where we share takings from Ruby’s Pantry and forego meds in order to eat… or vice versa.😞
FB response to the below graphic.
Is it simple human nature to only see what we wish?
Only what makes us comfortable with continuing… that doesn’t require we forsake any comforts?
Do we seek like, and ignore other?
Is this why sometimes we meet someone and instantly connect? Because we share a Venn circle?
Should we maybe try looking, with some compassion, OUTSIDE our Venn circles?
IDK who this Biden adherent is, yet I’m grateful for him bringing some clarity for me today, though perhaps more questions too?
Happy New Year, America.
It’s not looking as good as some are saying. Not from my shoes anyway.
I’m finding the power of MSM to take people to a place where, instead of ingesting information for themselves and deciphering truth from it, people are emboldened to simply dismiss, without consideration, the input from those MSM has othered as “anti-vax” or “disinformation” mongers.
Instead of asking questions, ppl stand firmly in their silos of “TRUTH” which prop up the given narrative of the CDC, FDA, Biden Administration, Dr. Fauci… all of whom have been proven, time and again, to be ruthlessly ignoring facts, and worse, creating harm, rather than preventing it.
This is true whether the topic is the pandemic, Afghanistan, or climate change.
Here are the questions I continue to have about the ‘management’ of the pandemic in ‘Murica:
WHY are there no TREATMENTS for C0VlD-19 from the CDC? [When many are finding – AROUND THE GLOBE – that there ARE safe, effective, INEXPENSIVE treatments? 😔 Spoiler alert: If there are treatments, it negates their ability to enforce EUA vaccines – which require there being NO AVAILABLE TREATMENT.]
WHY are C0VlD+ people told to simply go home to wait and see what happens… when there are MANY GOOD SUGGESTIONS for surviving the virus? The medical community instead seemingly wants only to hospitalize (That’s the BIG $) people once they are REALLY SICK. [Though still, no real treatment… save – here in MN anyway – Remdesivier and ventilators (which other countries have found to hasten death).]
WHY are there no recommendations on immune boosting, Vitamins, sleep, diet? Instead managers and MSM promote ‘VACCINES’ as ‘OUR ONLY CURE!’ [As we see more and more breakthrough cases…]
WHY is there such a focus on the “unvaccinated infecting the vaccinated” – implying us deplorable folks – who still question the validity of mRNA vaccines as ‘fully-tested’ – are HARMING those who’ve been prudent in taking their prescribed EUA jabs? [The idea of vaccines as “safe, effective, and free” may be wrong on all three counts… as we know it is for sure on the last, as us taxpayers funded not only the development but the purchase of said jabs.]
WHY all the shaming of those – having been given no other option than vaccination – who try other means to protect themselves, be it immune system boosting, exercising, staying home, masking, and/or minimizing contacts? [Yet, even when MSM information is found to be false, like about all those horse dewormer victims filling hospitals in Oklahoma, it remains on the web. As ‘fact’.]
CDC Breakthrough data NEW disclaimer, now suggests their data includes also victims of other causes of death? This helps muddy the waters, eh? Just another in the ever-changing data reporting… that we’re all supposed to trust?
It feels to me the powers that be are truly getting scared of the information that is defying their idea that Vaccines are the ONLY WAY OUT of the pandemic. Is it perhaps their fear that Ivermectin could, in fact, replace MANY other patented and expensive Rx that are less effective? Are they seeing the simplicity of safe and well-known medications – used as off-label taking down their high-profit (and thus highly promoted) meds?
You know about off-label uses… like Viagra for hard-ons and Rogaine for baldness – FFS is it ONLY OK if it does something MEN want??? Fuck nurses and teachers who COULD be PROTECTED with prophylactic Ivermectin – like Argentina discovered? Or India?
Conclusion: Two-dose ivermectin prophylaxis at a dose of 300 μg/kg with a gap of 72 hours was associated with a 73% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers for the following month. Chemoprophylaxis has relevance in the containment of pandemic.
Actually, there are lots of off-label uses… from Ativan to Beta-Blockers to Lorazapam, and MANY OTHERS that are used EVERY FUCKING DAY. Like 20% of all Rx are off-label… but suddenly, there’s an all out war to demonize Ivermection as a possible Covid treatment?
Did you hear that Merck poo-pood Ivermection – as it’s manufacturer!! What???? You don’t say??? [Whisper: they left out that they are… wait for it… No, Really, you’ll love this… They’re working on creating a new oral Covid treatment. SHHHH!!!! It’s gonna be patented and cost a TON of money because it will be so popular – a pill to prevent getting Covid, Oh, My! I mean… SHHHHH!!! Keep it under your hat]
“Merck said its new trial will study experimental drug molnupiravir for the prevention of COVID-19 among adults in the same household as someone diagnosed with symptomatic coronavirus infection.
I’m especially confused by those who can easily see the Regulatory Capture Enbridge has unleashed upon the state of Minnesota, but fail to see that Big Pharma has taken over what now seems… the entire US Government AND the control of all media.
I will continue to pursue truth. Regardless of those who lose faith in me. I’m not the first to be ostracized by those who once I thought were friend, trusted confidant, comrade.
If we get to the point of the government forcing us unvaccinated to wear a Big Yellow “A” on our chests, I sure hope none of my “friends” will go for the bounty of turning me in… as an enemy of the state.
The vaccination narratives are dangerously reminiscent of what I read about happening in Germany in the 30s… sweet potato hitler or no.
Today I’m wondering how many of those Germans back then cried all day long wondering why their fellow citizens would not awaken to the brainwashing of ‘Jew as Vermin’ from their “leaders”. 😥 At least I know they weren’t just Jews crying back then.
While I had another idea for the blog this week, with all the news around the changing of administrations here in the U.S., I felt a general update was more in order. So, here’s what’s happening from my perspective.
Enbridge continues to build their Tar Sands Pipeline in Northern Minnesota – while many in the state continue to be largely unaware that it’s happening. Or that it’s happening SO QUICKLY. I spoke with a local familiar with previous pipeline projects who noted that the SPEED of this project is “breakneck… much faster than when Koch was installing their pipeline”. What could go wrong? Stuff like this. And this:
Pipe truck carrying three pipeline segments speeding into Bagley as Enbridge rushes to gain a new corridor.
On January 21st, we discovered Access Road 38B at the first of two proposed crossings of the Mississippi River. This is in the LaSalle Valley, which is depicted below in “Figure 15” with the proposed LaSalle Creek crossing.
While work at the second crossing is far more destructive thus far, it sure was horrible to see this as we’ve been happy to have quiet mostly since the State of Minnesota illegally approved this pipeline for construction.
Photo submitted as part of a federal court filing seeking an injunction against Line 3 construction. Photo by Alexander Aman. Interpretation by Laura Triplett. From Healing MN Stories 1/23/21
The game is now one of waiting and watching. And what are we seeing? So many stories. I will keep it to a brief few.
DNR began enforcing an area, at the second proposed Mississippi River crossing by this abominable project, initially in response to people being in the area expressing their first amendment rights. This sign was soon put up to create a Exclusion Zone – apparently by Enbridge, creating a No Trespassing Zone and gobbling up public space… which is illegal.
This zone DOUBLES the easement for Enbridge making it illegal for any “normal people” to get close enough to see what is going on and complain. Enbridge created a buffer zone against public scrutiny.
LATER the DNR sticker appeared on the sign. and LATER still “ENBRIDGE ENERGY LLC” was whited out.
We are also hearing of vehicles being hooked up to tow trucks WHILE PEOPLE ARE STILL INSIDE THEM. No notice, just… We’re gonna take you and your car away! WTF!?!?
And at an early gathering, Water Protectors dispersed after a warning by Aitkin County Sheriff Department. Some time later, and without a second dispersal order, DNR began rounding people up in the area, taking them to Aitkin County Jail where multiple problems were reported by Healing Minnesota Stories.
There are MANY and MORE DISTURBING stories to tell. And do you see Minnesota media covering these incidents? More on that at the end of the blog.
Meanwhile, the ugly face of the Minnesota Nice Deep North comes in the form of Representative Stauber in Washington, D.C. giving example of the audacity of white supremacy in a memo to his colleagues:
“(Y)our opposition to the first and only American Indian ever nominated to a cabinet position is likely to reverberate across Indian country,” said the letter to Stauber signed by Melanie Benjamin, Cathy Chavers, Robert F. Deschampe, Kevin R. Dupuis Sr., and Faron Jackson Sr. — tribal chairs representing, respectively, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
“Most concerning is that you did not consult with us as the sovereign federally recognized tribal governments in your district in advance of initiating this effort that has such a direct impact on us as your American Indian constituents,” the letter added.
The U.S. Department of the Interior oversees management and conservation of most federal lands and natural resources.
A separate letter from the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, based in Wisconsin, referred to Stauber’s efforts as “unprecedented,” and “a direct affront” to Indian Country. The alliance worked hard to advance Haaland’s nomination, it said, and asked Stauber to “step back” from leading the campaign against Haaland. It referenced Stauber’s position on the House Committee on Natural Resources.
“We are unaccustomed to any member of Congress serving in a leadership position on a committee or subcommittee with jurisdiction over Indian tribes taking such a public role in leading an attack that diametrically opposes the wishes of nearly all of Indian country,” it wrote.”
Well, Fuck Pete Stauber and his racist white supremacy agenda. Here’s hope for maybe saving the planet’s ability to maintain a habitat safe for humans? It sure looks and sounds like Biden is promising to do his best to make it so. Let’s hope that Haaland is appointed and… we have some good news already:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of Heather Dawn Thompson as Director of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture. Thompson is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a Harvard Law School graduate, and an expert in American Indian law, tribal sovereignty, and rural tribal economic development. With Thompson in place, USDA will return OTR directly under the Secretary, restoring the office’s important government-to-government role.
Meanwhile, Joe’s already starting to reverse the horrors of the last 4 years. Looks like his Executive Order on the Climate Crisis notes that the “heads of all agencies shall immediately review all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions” that are inconsistent with Biden’s policy “to listen to the science; to improve public health and protect our environment; to ensure access to clean air and water; to limit exposure to dangerous chemicals and pesticides; to hold polluters accountable, including those who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities; to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to bolster resilience to the impacts of climate change; to restore and expand our national treasures and monuments; and to prioritize both environmental justice and the creation of the well-paying union jobs necessary to deliver on these goals. ” This work will be done using the “best science” thus protecting the “integrity of the Federal decision-making”.
Within 30 days of the date of this order, heads of agencies shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a preliminary list of any actions being considered … that would be completed by December 31, 2021, and that would be subject to OMB review. Within 90 days of the date of this order, heads of agencies shall submit to the Director of OMB an updated list of any actions being considered … that would be completed by December 31, 2025, and that would be subject to OMB review.
… (d) The Attorney General may, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, provide notice of this order and any actions taken … to any court with jurisdiction over pending litigation related to those agency actions identified … and may, in his discretion, request that the court stay or otherwise dispose of litigation, or seek other appropriate relief consistent with this order, until the completion of the processes described in this order.
(e) In carrying out the actions directed in this section, heads of agencies shall seek input from the public and stakeholders, including State local, Tribal, and territorial officials, scientists, labor unions, environmental advocates, and environmental justice organizations.”
And… looks like Big Oil continues to suffer losses.
The International Energy Agency on Tuesday cut its 2021 global oil demand forecast, citing soaring Covid-19 cases and renewed lockdown measures that will further limit mobility.”
Meanwhile, CBS Sunday Morning aired a piece on white middle-class climate refugees. Everyone can perhaps relate to the family from Paradise as each of us faces more potential for a climate disaster happening to us.
Sunday evening, the PBS Newshour spent most of their program on the TRUTH OF THE DANGERS of the Fossil Fuel industry. May Boeve from 350.org (6:20) gave REALLY good coverage of how Line 3 and DAPL are the SAME as KXL. You may recognize the “equivalent to 50 coal plant” reference – same as Line 3! Giving good credit to the Natives who started this work on KXL, and noting the alliance of folks across the board with that pipeline, just like we’re seeing here in Minnesota as more and more gather along the route to protest this bad idea. [10:40 is the focus on Line 3.] Governor Tim Walz is gonna have a hard time as Joe and his own state reps turn against his ongoing collusion with Enbridge to give them a new pipeline corridor through our lovely Indian country.
Later in the episode, it looks like Shell and BP are the places to buy gas? They pushed back on 45’s deregulation… [as they are DOING the improvements already? So those de-regs would favor the losers who weren’t? Thus boosting the part of the industry that is doing the LEAST for reducing GHG emissions.] Listen as the President of Shell gets honest. When Ari presses, Gretchen Watkins maintains. Great close for that show too – on the effect of the pandemic on a family.
“The reason the commission doesn’t authorize construction in the absence in a permit is that it makes no sense to enable a developer to begin digging up land and laying down the pipe when it may be that the subsequent permit is never obtained or it may be that the route of the project has to change because of the conditions associated with the subsequent permit,” Glick said.
Glick has been consistent on that point, but he was joined in opposing Mountain Valley’s request by a commissioner who was sworn in last month, Allison Clements. The commission’s newest member, Mark C. Christie, abstained from voting.”
Let’s hope they feel that not-yet-recognized Treaty Rights are as important… in issuing an Injunction on the Line 3 project for the 404 Permit.
I want to close with a bit of a teaser. We got some really good insights today that may indicate we have an advantage over Enbridge in preventing their project from its most dangerous work. I will likely say more about this next week… or in an upcoming EMERGENCY Blog. For now, please keep hope. I know this is hard work and patience is wearing thin as we watch the destruction in our midst.
You know, I always wondered how Hilter happened and after 45, I can see how. I had also always wondered how the Homestead Strike was allowed to happen.
But that was in an era before we could all communicate immediately and widely.
Now it seems DNR, Aitkin County Sheriff Dan Guida, and his Deputies have allowed themselves to become Enbridge’s “Pinkerton” forces. Media has been used in this case as well with most Minnesota papers so beholden to Enbridge half-page ads that they cannot even bring themselves to go outside Enbridge terminology. They refer to this pipeline as a replacement. But this is NOT a RE-PLACEment – indicating in the SAME PLACE – but a RELOCATION of a pipeline. The goal is to secure a new corridor as the Leech Lake leases expire in just 8 years. And they have 6 pipelines to remove by then…
This blog was originally written prior to the Arizona debate (in D.C.) and perhaps it is irrelevant in these Days of Corona… But, for what it’s worth. [I’ve added a bit of new following the debate.]
Biden has little ability to defeat Trump. They are both demented old men, which becomes clearer each day as Joe fails again and again – lashing out at voters…. [Joe actually started out better than I expected in the debate. Though he had no ability to understand that even dictators can have improved living conditions for their people. It’s shades of gray, Joe.]
The difference between Biden and the current Republican President?
Everyone has already OK’d Trump’s dementia and insanity – for years now! But they will play every gaff of Joe’s endlessly. [And every lie, as it becomes clearer each day how much Joe stretches the truth and outright lies. Three times in a row, he LIED at the debate tonight about his statements on the floor discussing cutting Social Security, cutting Medicare and Medicaid, cutting veteran programs. He even ended up, in his explanation, telling on himself!! It was just baffling.]
And those Republicans have LOTS of money for commercials. Of course, it won’t take many to show Joe’s incompetence. I’m sorry if you can’t see it. Because if you can’t, Joe will be Hillary 2.0 and we’re all fucked. Even if he pulls it out, we all still lose.
Look at Biden’s cabinet. Look at all Biden’s Dark Money. Jamie fucking Dimon FFS!!!! Look at the insanity of those who adamantly and angrily opposed him… now falling in line… for money or power… or maybe a bit of both?
Why can some see the Dark Money so readily in Republicans but are blind to it in Democratic circles? How can one see the inhumanity of Republicans and watch cheerily as Dems work as the other wing of the same bird…. shitting all over America as it gathers up all the juicy berries and sticks for itself.
The oligarchy is KILLING US. The vote in Michigan was split among the young fearing for their very lives voting for Bernie and the older Dems, standing on their necks, wishing they “could get better health care… and thinking it sure would be nice if we all had it” siding with Joe.
These are literally grandparents stealing the rights of their descendants to have a voice… as they line their coffins with gold.
I get that older Dems are afraid too. But it’s time to pony up for the children – is it THEIR FUTURE we’re fighting for? Or our own?
WE OLDSTERS HAVE HAD OUR SHARE
How about giving the young some time to fix the planet? Fuck! Maybe they can save it if we get out of the way fast enough. And if they don’t? Well, we pretty much assured they couldn’t to start…
Us oldsters had our chance to do something and WE HAVE FAILED. As the planet spins into human extinction, could we maybe try it the kid’s way? Just this once??
WHAT DO WE REALLY HAVE TO LOSE AT THIS POINT!!! It’s like, the car is dented, bumper hanging off, almost out of gas – could we let the kids drive for a moment, while they still have a chance? Or will oldsters hang on bitterly to the Biden steering wheel and doom our children to the future we’ve all earned for them?
We sacrifice our children to the Gods of money, stuff, and power. It is sad. But it is a fact.
I spent some time on the phone recently with some Millennials. It was bittersweet to hear THEIR understanding of why older people are doing what they are doing. THEIR acceptance of the fact that there is probably little that can be done to stop them, as this has been their lifelong experience… from infancy to present day. {Tommy. I am so sorry for all my failures…}
Their commentary was all so HEARTBREAKING TO HAVE TO HEAR!!! Especially when THEY think they have another election cycle to wait all you Boomers out. When we now know they don’t have that luxury…
We will distract ourselves with this new thing…. viral infection of the cancer that has taken on the planet. Kind of like a chemo for Her to quell the thing that has been raping and killing her for centuries. And, while it may calm the GHG levels to a point that gives us a while longer, watch the reaction of the powers that be… as they prop up the industry!!! And abandon the people…
Fund the Market so it won’t crash!!! Make MORE STUFF!!!! The addiction is obvious. Inhumane. Insane. Yet it continues. And we think our children need rehab?
Meanwhile, I fear the feedback loops will not survive another 4 years before they overlap in a way that we see MASS human effect. {In case it’s not clear, “effect” means removal from the game.}
Sadly, these Millennials were mostly accepting of their fate.
They’ve known their whole lives that the chances for their future were slim. They’re not stupid. They’ve watched as “adults” have denied and delayed. And they are far more understanding of the indifference to their fate than I will likely ever be.
I wish you could all hear the children. These are OUR CHILDREN we’re working to save. Aren’t we?
Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised… after my own father so readily disowned me. Perhaps some care more for saving their bank accounts and retirement funds – though they already have more money than they will EVER need – than they do their own children.
I’m sorry if this alarms you.
Imagine how it feels from the children’s perspective.
Please.
Can you give them just a few moments of consideration?