Pro gun, very conservative website concludes: no murder

http://bearingarms.com/lavoy-finicum-murdered-forced-oregon-police-shoot/

Very detailed analysis, debunking conspiracy theories and witnesses.

Hedges on children

Pity the Children: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/BlhqdtRqRa0/

Bad memory

As a former enthusiastic McGovern supporter, even interviewed election night by NPR's Susan Stanberg about his crushing defeat, I don't have a lot of faith in progressive Presidential candidates. And so Sanders worries me as a candidate, especially going against Trump and a likely third party candidate if that's the matchup. I would prefer someone "safe" enough to get elected, who then radicalizes while in office - like FDR.

Is Hillary such a candidate? She could be IF IF IF she's unhappy in a bad marriage. She is smarter than her husband and might be motivated to trump his legacy. And we are far overdue for a woman in the White House.

But this is probably wishful thinking.

I don't think Sanders can get elected in a 3 way race.

I think Trump's chances get better and better, but I think Clinton could beat him in a 2 way race.

I fear the worst. And don't know my candidate yet.

Consequences of occupation

Landowners Inside FBI Perimeter: 'We’re Psychologically Exhausted' http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/landowners-inside-fbi-perimeter-were-psychologically-exhausted/

Ambrosia

How can anything taste this good?

R.I.P.

Jump Shot Pioneer Dies At 95 - http://huff.to/1SsAIpP

It never ends

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Space warfare with Russia and China? Pentagon urged to prepare for it.
http://wapo.st/1WOACta

Quotation of the day

The main difference between men and women is that men are lunatics and women are idiots. --Rebecca West, as quoted in Kerouac's Scroll

Modern speculation

What species would become dominant on Earth if humans died out?: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/i00cpmfO8P4/

Progress

Behold, San Francisco's Open-Air Urinal - http://huff.to/1WTwNTE

Preview

The New Yorker Presents review – Amazon show captures magazine's spirit

http://gu.com/p/4g9m3?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Contrast

SAG awards: diversity is the night's winner in pointed counter to Oscars

http://gu.com/p/4gax9?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Cartoon

Birdbrain Bundy: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/NhtC0m2EfAg/

Final Four

Dingbats with guns. Farce or tragedy? Farce!

Food

I do all our shopping and make all our meals now, so I spend a lot of time thinking about food. I've reached some conclusions.

The food I could not do without ... the egg.

The food that blows my mind every time, it's so good ... my home brewed buttermilk.

Give me eggs and buttermilk, I feel like royalty.

Alternate universes

Rewatched enhanced video of shooting. How anyone sees ambush or surrender is beyond me. Of course he shouldn't have been killed -- but neither should a kid with a toy gun or a mentally challenged man with a hair brush, and there was much more perceived danger here, with the guy running a road block and broadcasting he'd die before being arrested. Our cops shoot first and ask questions later. Everybody else was arrested peaceably.

About time

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Police chiefs consider dramatic reforms to officer tactics, training to prevent so many shootings
http://wapo.st/1ShcksY

Read sample

The high lonesome

One of the better compliments I ever received about my work came from a poet many years ago. He said my 1973 short story "The Idaho Jacket," later selected to the Roll of Honor in Best American Short Stories 1974, was the best thing he'd ever read about Northwest male/logger mythology. Better than Kesey even. Quite a compliment!

 There's some cowboy mythology in the refuge takeover, although it's tainted with Mormon extremism. There are similarities between logger and cowboy mythologies but the Northwest has more edgy roots, more about landscape and hard living, less about God and church.

 You can read "The Idaho Jacket" in the sample below.
 

Kerber v. Williams

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2612328-williams-vs-kerber-score-and-reaction-from-australian-open-2016-womens-final

Wallace Stevens

http://www.thenation.com/article/vagrancy-in-the-park/

William Blake

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2015/12/03/greatness-william-blake/

Big upset

World number 4 Angelique Kerber upsets world number 1 Serena Williams in the Australian Open Final in Melbourne to win her 1st grand slam title http://www.breakingnews.com/item/2016/01/30/world-number-4-angelique-kerber-upsets-world-numbe

Ferlinghetti minds the store

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jul/04/lawrence-ferlinghetti-interview-poets

Birth of rock and roll

http://www.oxfordamerican.org/item/698-what-sam-phillips-heard

Saul Bellow

http://hazlitt.net/feature/saul-bellows-last-interview

New Yorker at 90

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/little-old-lady-upper-west-side/

Who pays writers?

https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/who-pays-writers-welfare-state-literature

Reenchantment of poetry

http://thesmartset.com/the-re-enchantment-of-poetry/

Acting craft

Rebecca Hall at Sundance: Hollywood is scared of 'ugly' female characters

http://gu.com/p/4g8tn?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Read sample

Read sample

Dream ticket?

Bernie Sanders And Elizabeth Warren May Have Just Saved Consumers $14 Billion - http://huff.to/1Sm965w

The Old Beatnik

Have a reading scheduled in April with local group ... Still rewriting.

This guy wants a pardon!

It's Time For Armed Bullies To Face The Law: http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/its-time-armed-bullies-face-law

Enhanced video of shooting

http://video-embed.oregonlive.com/services/player/bcpid1949055967001?bctid=4728181032001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAPLpuSqE~,a1DdoZJH5WQo4iWaJj1w_CktvJfhQVVG

Looks to me like he's keeping his balance in snow, not raising hands, then reaching into jacket. Clearly not surrendering.

Again, training has to become shoot to wound over shoot to kill, unless maybe you are shot at first.

Unfortunately ...

Bottom line

Seeing is believing

But folks see what they want to see. Some think the video shows him shot with hands up. Nope. Granted, he should not have been killed, along with many others, but his hands are down, reaching for something, the moment before he falls. This is what I see.

Humanity is hopeless. Better to bake bread than argue.

Washington Post obit

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Paul Kantner, Jefferson Airplane founder, dead at 74
http://wapo.st/1nCtbJS

Discovery

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Clay tablets reveal Babylonians discovered astronomical geometry 1,400 years before Europeans
http://wapo.st/1RPvdCE

Refrain of the poets

Wordsworth, The world is too much with us, late and soon ...
Cummings, King Christ this world is all aleak, and life preservers there are none ...
Welch, You can't fix it, you can't make it go away ...
Joyce, History is a nightmare ...
Guthrie, Never comin back to this man's town again, singin HEY HEY HEY HEY!
Cummings, as long as you and i have arms and lips which are for kissing and to sing with, who cares if some one eyed son of a bitch invents an instrument to measure Spring with?

Silence

Best part of day! Time to bake bread. Drink buttermilk.

Good question

After the Oregon standoff: can lost goodwill be recaptured?

http://gu.com/p/4g7c5?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

R.I.P.

Jefferson Airplane co-founder Paul Kantner dies at 74: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/PXZ5lr5heKg/

Decisive moment

Hands not up, not on ground. Tragedy is law enforcement ALWAYS shoots to kill.

Clarification

Video: Unedited FBI video of traffic stop and officer-involved shooting of Robert 'LaVoy' Finicum near site of Oregon militia standoff; (Note: video contains graphic images) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAGxDWKrjPQ&feature=youtu.be

Impressive ... not shot on ground, not shot with hands up. He was reaching for gun.

Question for me: why is the only alternative shoot to kill? What about shoot to wound? New training required.

Shooters not FBI but Oregon troopers.

Won't stop conspiracy theories.

Kerouac's Scroll

Started reading the preview, now I can't put it down. Haven't looked at it in years. Man, this is good!

Dark Ages

American Democracy Down for the Count: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/CskgjTHeDCU/

Prediction

Swedish general warns: World War III break out ‘within a few years’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/bb3MUR2Vjww/

Call to action

Y'All Qaeda May Not Be Finished With Oregon Yet: http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/yall-qaeda-may-not-be-finished-oregon-yet

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Remember the name Nate Parker. You’re going to hear it a lot when ‘Birth of a Nation’ premieres.
http://wapo.st/1SI3nZg

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
In the age of Trump, grim warnings from a Holocaust survivor
http://wapo.st/1nQ9yOd

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
How the Bundys’ social media machine fed their political movement
http://wapo.st/1WOG7rS

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
In Oregon siege, troubling signs of a movement on the offensive
http://wapo.st/1PGbFkb

Read sample

4 left

http://www.breakingnews.com/item/2016/01/28/4-people-remain-at-malheur-national-wildlife-refug

Conflicting reports

FBI claims slain militant LaVoy Finicum reached for a gun — and they say they’ve got video to prove it: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/on9rgSmEGnQ/

Australia wants to know

Only In America: Looking At Trump From ‘Down Under’ : http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/only-america-looking-trump-down-under

"How is it, we ask, that the most technologically advanced country in the world is descending into the moral abyss of unscrupulous, partisan political skulduggery and unbridled capitalism?"

Wow

U.S. Shootings Since 1963 Have Killed More Americans Than All Wars Ever - http://huff.to/1Sk9kKx

Profile

Megyn Kelly: the journalist who dinged Trump's ego – and got under his skin

http://gu.com/p/4g6jb?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Martyrs

Oregon standoff militant David Fry says 5 people remain in occupied refuge; when asked about Ammon Bundy's call for occupiers to leave, Fry says: 'We have new leaders with new plans' - @amandapeacher https://twitter.com/amandapeacher/status/692537585651027974

Turn around

Sweden planning to expel up to 80,000 immigrants seeking asylum: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/GjwlX_B4hzc/

The Guardian

Oregon militia leader's plea to refuge holdouts: 'I love you ... go home'

http://gu.com/p/4g7yz?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Drum roll, or nobody learns anything

‘First Ruby Ridge and Waco — now Burns’: Militant leaders issue warning after LaVoy Finicum’s death: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/CzcIPjRdktw/

History is a knee jerk.

A theory

Ex-FBI Hostage Negotiator Tells Fox: Oregon Militant's Death Fits 'Suicide By Cop' Profile : http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/ex-fbi-hostage-negotiator-tells-fox-oregon

Update

Local media reports only a handful of occupiers remain at federal refuge in Harney County, Ore. - @LesZaitz https://twitter.com/LesZaitz/status/692514932294684672

Perspective

Josh Fox on His New Doc "How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can't Change": http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/27/josh-fox-his-new-doc-how-let-go-world-and-love-all-things-climate-cant-change

Modal tuning, or mountain minor

Retuning banjo has energized my interest, new songs to learn. Just about have first one down.

Uncommon common sense!

Ammon Bundy, through his attorney, asks remaining occupiers at wildlife refuge in Harney County, Ore., to stand down and go home - @LincolnGraves https://twitter.com/LincolnGraves/status/692487116622839809

Twitter II

A great venting machine mostly, occasionally an efficient news machine. I doubt if any minds get changed about anything. Reinforces preference of opinion over knowledge, which is at the foundation of our growing national stupidity.

In all this madness, OPB shines with decent, boots on the ground reporting.

Our future

Google AI computer beats human champion of complex Go boardgame

http://gu.com/p/4g73p?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Vendetta

GOP Still Investigating Planned Parenthood, Even After Sting Videos Backfire - http://huff.to/1SjwkcI

Doping in sports is everywhere

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4102aca98da8464a9d4d1a2ba007cffc/former-los-angeles-marathon-winner-gets-2-year-doping-ban

Optimists

The Populist Revolution: Bernie and Beyond: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/KGXoBQeMImc/

Perspective

Dumb and Dumber: Trump, Palin and the Celebration of Stupidity in U.S. Politics: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/134872669/0/alternet~Dumb-and-Dumber-Trump-Palin-and-the-Celebration-of-Stupidity-in-US-Politics

Ah, America!

Nevada GOP lawmaker compares slain Oregon militant LaVoy Finicum to Jesus and Moses: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/_ngxBgrQaIY/

Delusions

Berserk militant promises ‘bloodbath’ as feds move in: ‘This is a free-for-all Armageddon’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/lwoducYHmOk/

Twitter

A useful tool for "live" news - as well as for lies, rumors, conspiracy theories. The defining medium for a culture that has come to value opinion more than knowledge. By and large, I find it depressing that so much bullshit gets such a large audience.

I'm beginning to think the Luddites got a bad rap.

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
This is what white privilege is
http://wapo.st/1ZJJ2ly

New playing field

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
How scared is Hollywood of Netflix and Amazon?
http://wapo.st/1KE7EW2

Perspective

Alaska Senator Says Only Women Showed Up To Run Congress Post-Blizzard - http://huff.to/1Vpsoq0

Witness to killing

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/militant_shot_and_killed_while.html

Read sample

Perspective

VIDEO: Robert Reich Explains How to Respond to Bernie Skeptics: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/ZBHy6dqEFas/

WP, good overview and background to date

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Six Oregon occupiers arrested, one person killed in confrontation with police
http://wapo.st/1S9VqMW

Developing

8 arrested, 1 dead. Mythology, martyrdom, disinformation, suicide by cop v. murder, etc.

Meanwhile armed extremists at refuge, expecting raid.

Far from over. So far, I am amazed at low body count.

The Raw Story

LaVoy Finicum — the Oregon militant beneath the blue tarp — killed in police shootout: reports: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/W_EPxtimmSo/

The Guardian

Oregon militia standoff: One dead after Ammon Bundy and others arrested

http://gu.com/p/4g6kp?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Feds next move?

Jason Patrick, occupier at Oregon wildlife refuge standoff, on status of occupation: We're all standing here ready to defend our peaceful resolution - @LesZaitz https://twitter.com/LesZaitz/status/692192654378078208

Foreboding

Now those remaining have a martyr ... this is far from over.

What next?

The refuge is still occupied.

Update

1 killed, Oregon militia standoff leader Ammon Bundy and 6 others arrested near Harney County. Ore. - NBC, CNN http://www.breakingnews.com/item/2016/01/27/1-killed-oregon-militia-standoff-leader-ammon-bun

Beginning of end?

Washington resident involved in Oregon militia standoff claims that leader Ammon Bundy was on way to meeting in John Day, Ore., and 'somewhere along 395 there was a shooting;' officials have not released any information - Oregon Public Broadcasting http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/lockdown-harney-county/

xxx

following on twitter ... high octane

Endless repetition

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
The U.S. was supposed to leave Afghanistan by 2017. Now it might take decades.
http://wapo.st/1PPzJLx

Without the Bern

I back Sanders for many of his ideas but I also fear a McGovern disaster if he faces Trump. I have little faith in the American mainstream, much more in immigrant and ethnic non white voters, who may prefer Hillary. Moreover, not at all sure Bernie would be a good prez. Nor Hillary. But either far better than Trump.

Amer politics a choice between bad and worse.

Eastern Oregon makes me believe a Trump presidency is very possible. Esp if a 3rd party splits progressive voters.

For me, Warren as Bern's VP would help seal the deal - or her aggressive endorsement.

President Trump. Wow. American exceptionalism.

Great day

Cooking, playing banjo, blogging, reading, alone for the day. Started what might be extraordinary book, "The End of Night." Led to it after seeing doc film on loss of night sky.

Compared 1950s light pollution map to today -- incredible change. Another advantage of old age: experiencing natural darkness.

Who knew?

Bernie Sanders' 1987 album We Shall Overcome is so bad, it's good

http://gu.com/p/4g6t6?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

On and on and on and ...

Mom accused of child abuse hauls seven kids to Oregon for surreal performance before armed militants: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/FjkwmZ5IDoE/

Hangin' in like Gunga Din

Bernie Sanders Refuses to Melt - http://huff.to/1VnXYob

5 string

Learning new song, modal tuning.

Empathy

Greeks To Be Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize For Their Role In Refugee Crisis - http://huff.to/1VlzcVL

A different view

Voting for Sanders Is Voting Republican - http://huff.to/1VjpAuL

Read sample

Buttermilk rolls

Tic tock

Minute hand of 'Doomsday Clock,' which indicates how close scientists think humans are from destroying the planet, remains at '3 minutes to midnight,' officials announce - ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/doomsday-clock-time-adjusted-show-close-apocalypse/story?id=36524149

I've followed this since high school.

Read sample

Perspective

Teacher dismissed as ‘angry black woman’ for racism complaints before school engulfed in N-word scandal: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/Wf6WAd0kanc/

Back story

Phony judge may have illegally impersonated a cop to bring militants’ kids to occupied Oregon refuge: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/GRkjOv_3K8Y/

Perspective

Noam Chomsky Calls GOP a ‘Danger to Human Survival,’ Sizes Up Bernie Sanders: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/5zjT2h1pc8k/

Buttermilk glass, yum!

Reversal of attitude

Danish parliament approves plan to seize assets from refugees

http://gu.com/p/4g68k?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Music

Plan to practice a lot today!

Peaceful solution?

After hearing the refuge women, I see a very thin ray of possibility for a peaceful evacuation: a Mormon leader convinces them their methods are wrong.

Won't happen. FBI managing another disaster is more likely.

Crossfire

OPB interview with some of women at compound ... Obeyers of the Bible, sincere but ignorant of history, law ... Don't sound as crazy as some of the men ... A lot of "nice" folks in danger here because of misguided leaders. "God" is giving them bad advice!

Perspective

Henry Rollins: ‘Our species is a ruinous pain in the ass’

http://gu.com/p/4g23a?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Nostalgia

The slow death of the long lunch

http://gu.com/p/4g576?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

More bad news

Nearly 300,000 civilian drones registered in US in 30 days

http://gu.com/p/4g5pt?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Bad news

Sea level rise from ocean warming underestimated, scientists say

http://gu.com/p/4g5y8?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Bright teens

Silicon Valley backs 13-year-old boy's Braille printer built from Lego

http://gu.com/p/4g5yd?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Out of rhythm

Crashed at 7 ... up and awake at 1, did design changes on blog, taking advantage of new book sample tool.

Planning return to music, especially ukulele.

More crazies every day

Oregon man joining Bundy militants threatens cops in drunken rant: ‘I will kill all of you’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/DGfnGZhu69k/

FBI making bad situation worse. Cut power, block roads, tear gas with drones. Sooner rather than later.

Fat chance.

Modern life

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Kids would rather play Xbox than make money shoveling. It’s pitiful.
http://wapo.st/1PO5IvJ

A Muslim in Kansas

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
The Education of Maira Salim
http://wapo.st/1PeT6By

Plot thickens

More: Anti-abortion activists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt indicted for tampering with a governmental record in Planned Parenthood case; Daleiden also faces count related to purchase and sale of human organs, Harris County, Texas, district attorney says - Houston Chronicle http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Harris-grand-jury-indicts-pair-behind-Planned-6782865.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop

Perspective

Noam Chomsky: Sanders has better policies, but I’d vote for Hillary — if I lived in a swing state: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/yXVnn8G78zo/

Waiting room

Moral support for H, issue that may require minor surgery. Sounds like same problem my mother had, dying day after surgery of unrelated cause. So she's nervous.

Preview of "A Charles Deemer Reader"

Read a sample.

Trend?

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2016/01/25/lawyer-for-walter-scott-family-switches-sides-to-endorse-bernie-sanders/

Biscuits & gravy

Hero

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Does this 81-year-old hold the key to teaching kids how to understand math?
http://wapo.st/1KyxAlP

Embracing old age

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
http://wapo.st/1Qt7ze8

"In the land of Botox and celebrity teenagers and the 18-to-34-year-old target consumer, the idea that old age can be as rewarding as youth is not an easy sell. In fact, Thomas believes that Americans have bought so willingly into the idea of aging as something to be feared that it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy leading to isolation, loneliness and lack of autonomy.

He wants to change that, and he is well qualified for the job.
"

Reports on Twitter ...

... that Burns meeting tomorrow cancelled for safety reasons. Giving in to bullies. Should have gotten FBI, police protection.

Any balls in Burns to give these assholes the fight they want?

The west rules

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
America’s emptiest places: 42% of the land, 1% of the people
http://wapo.st/1JuDKZj

The old man hangs in, Denver defense gets job done

http://www.breakingnews.com/item/2016/01/24/denver-broncos-win-afc-championship-beating-new-e

I love retirement!

Just thinking how nice it is to have a life with little responsibility, almost no deadlines, no employer, day after day left to my own devices, to muddle through as best I can.

Few needs. Fewer desires, those mostly driven by ego (like getting a little local artistic respect in my old age). I can get too distracted by the surrounding madness but recover quickly. Harriet is whining less, which makes the daily routine less stressful. I'm still writing well.

I love retirement!

Itching for confrontation

The refuge dingbats are appointing their own judge and grand jury to charge local officials with crimes. One wonders what is too far for the Feds.

Now they tell me

"Charles Deemer's hyperdrama presentation was a smash!" A June, 2008, tweet by someone at the national hypertext conference. I was invited to speak but sent a video presentation instead, Changing Key (not into gatherings). Don't recall hearing this at the time. Belatedly good to hear!

The cosmic perspective

We forgot our place -- and all hell broke loose.

The human factor

Birds stop migrating as rubbish dumps provide winter feeding grounds

http://gu.com/p/4g4vv?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Turn around

Up very early, chores, groceries, back before sunrise. Better mood, thanks to good input yesterday. Brooding about possible project around loss of night skies.

Ah, if my close friends were still alive, navigating the madness would be easier. Great disadvantages in being last one standing.

Perspective

Why Bernie Sanders’ Movement Is the Only One That Will Provide Real Change: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/1sP9fDz8nFc/

Potential showdown

The Burns community meeting has been moved to a gun free senior center tomorrow. Will the domestic terrorists boycott, check guns at door, or bully in with guns? 2 is hard to imagine. 3 is in character. 1 is safe.

Perspective

‘I was terribly wrong’ - writers look back at the Arab spring five years on

http://gu.com/p/4g3xf?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Perspective

The rise and fall of Sarah Palin: plucked away from Alaska, she lost her soul

http://gu.com/p/4g44k?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

2 universes

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Tina Fey returns to SNL for one long Sarah Palin-is-crazy joke [Video]
http://wapo.st/20mmfhY

Palin fans v. Fey/Palin fans. Talk about a great divide!

Women ranchers

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Women expand their home on the range
http://wapo.st/1JtHcDj

Urgency

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
The race to save ancient Islamic manuscripts from terrorists who want them destroyed
http://wapo.st/1nrJ1H8

The City Dark

This documentary about our disappearing night sky really got to me. I was an avid amateur astronomer in my teens, frequently using my telescope in the Mojave desert. This is a spiritual loss and major contributor to the arrogance and greed that doom us. Extraordinary and important film.

Olive bread

Strange claim to fame

http://www.motherjones.com/contributor/2016/01/shorter-donald-trump-haha-my-supporters-are-so-stupid#testa

Comfort

Heroes

OPB's John Sepulvado and Amanda Peacher for their Q&A session on Oregon standoff. A large helping of rational discourse in this sound-bite, hype-driven media circus. Contribution on its way.

posted from Bloggeroid

OPB rules

Oregon Public Broadcasting smoking others in refuge coverage. Great Twitter Q&A this a.m. by two excellent reporters. No hype. Refreshing!

posted from Bloggeroid

The Big Downer

The dramatic impotence of law in eastern Oregon, generated by a racist FBI, has me more depressed than I've been in ages. I'm not alone: the twitterverse is filled with outrage. Powerless outrage.

Getting uglier

Bernie Sanders smeared as communist sympathizer as Hillary Clinton’s allies sling mud: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/b3vW06wsmMg/

A Clinton strategy likely to backfire.

Perspective

Chess is gloriously rebellious. Maybe that’s what Saudi Arabia’s mufti fears

http://gu.com/p/4g3ht?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Ha ha!

Why do academics drink so much?

http://gu.com/p/4fz6v?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Bernie in trouble with women

Bernie Sanders must deliver more than platitudes about abortion

http://gu.com/p/4g29q?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

posted from Bloggeroid

Cartoon

Palinspeak: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/PYABXxj1pzo/

posted from Bloggeroid

Perspective

This Mormon pseudo-historian is why the Oregon militants are so confused about the Constitution: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/7VUaOz-l88g/

Emperor's old clothes

The FBI bias for white male conservatives, evident throughout its history, is on obscene display in Oregon now. If Obama had balls, he'd set matters straight in short order, which would include a housecleaning.

There are worse outcomes than violence.

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
These are the world’s best countries. (Sorry, America — you’re Number 4.)
http://wapo.st/1JhNjKW

Wealth

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Global innovation may have a 1 percent problem
http://wapo.st/1S7j6zt

Media and Bernie

I am noticing increasing digs at Sanders in such media as the Huffington Post and Washington Post ... and I'm not wild about anyone. I just don't want a President Trump, which is possible.

Endangered writers

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
A computer program is writing new ‘Friends’ episodes. Are they any good?
http://wapo.st/1S7eRnD

Change of pace

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
Separated by WWII, 70 years and 10,000 miles, long-lost lovers will reunite for Valentines Day
http://wapo.st/1RBeCT6

Tasty!

My meatloaf is fantastic. Half grass fed beef, half chicken sausage, eggs, mushroom soup, bread crumbs, bacon on top.

Pathetic

FBI finally contacts Ammon Bundy as Oregon occupation nears third week: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/agORi2t8HH0/

FBI kissing ass (since it's white).

Disgraceful, blatant racist bias, compared to 1979 similar event involving black protesters, who were quickly removed.

Gov. Brown, keep up the pressure and use the Nat. Guard if necessary. This enabling makes everything worse.

Meatloaf for dinner

History

New documents reveal how Donald Trump’s racist dad inspired Woody Guthrie’s most bitter writings: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/Jfzpdl2wUac/

Back to bed

Depressing to witness the power of deranged stupidity and the impotence of law.

Not funny anymore

American politics has been a dark comedy for a long time. But I stopped laughing. I feel like I'm watching a ticking time bomb. We're all in the radius of destruction, some well meaning, some not. The bad guys will get it and take the good guys out with them. America is a suicide bomber.

Opportunity

VIDEO: Five planets parade across the sky in rare alignment
http://wapo.st/1JY389J

Vomit

The mere sound of her voice makes me want to: Sarah Palin

Step forward

Justice Ginsburg Leads Supreme Court Majority To Deliver Blow To Big Business - http://huff.to/1V9h9BS

National Guard?

Oregon governor defies feds to slam inaction on militants’ ‘spectacle of lawlessness’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/dDzf6xDJVeE/

Funk

"The world is too much with us ..."

Liberal bias here: anger went both ways, 2 mobs yelling at one another

WATCH: Oregon militants sit silently as furious residents shame them for ruining their community: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/jmX65qXQ_YI/

Ah, humanity!

Flat-Earthers are back: 'It’s almost like the beginning of a new religion'

http://gu.com/p/4gvqa?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Sanity II

Oops

Bernie Sanders: 'We're taking on the political establishment' ... like Planned Parenthood?: http://feeds.dailykos.com/~r/dailykos/index/~3/d9F5RdYehWo/-Bernie-Sanders-We-re-taking-on-the-political-establishment-like-Planned-Parenthood

O sanity!

From refuge employees

"An open letter to our friends, our supporters, and many curious about what's going on here.

From: The Staff of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
To: Our Friends, Partners, and the American Public

Dear Friends,
Many have asked us to comment on the ongoing situation at Malheur NWR. We have refrained because we care deeply for the community, and want to ensure our words do not inflame an already heated situation. However, we believe it is important that our views and position are known.

We believe many in the media (as well as those sympathetic to the illegal occupiers) were surprised to hear that the community—while frustrated with the Hammond situation—did not leap to the support of the militants. We are not surprised.

For over 100 years, our Refuge employees have been members of this community. We study, bowl, worship, commune, (occasionally drink) and interact with our fellow Harney County citizens—not as a ‘we vs. they’—but as an ‘us.’

In a community with nearly 40% of working adults engaged in some form of government, we are all touched or involved in the public process. In Harney County, that means we talk. We have cups of coffee. We have arguments. Together we knit our brows, and together we knit scarves. We understand what those in Washington D.C. and those currently occupying the Refuge don’t understand---that Harney County isn’t afraid of tough talk.

We can have effective disagreements and either find resolution, find compromise, or simply agree to disagree. But we do it with respect for the rule of law, and know that our areas of agreement and cooperation are infinitely more powerful than the differences we may face. Mostly, we face those differences together with open dialogue and open gates—not intimidation and threats. We have access to each other, because we are not afraid to confront difficult situations or have difficult conversations.

It pains each of us that we are missing our obligations to you—as church leaders, as 4-H advisers, as friends, and as school volunteers. We hope to be back soon and pick up where we left off.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your support. We know (as you do too) that it is not our Refuge that has been occupied; this is Harney County’s and America’s Refuge.

We are excited to be part of the eventual healing process for our community. We believe that this difficult situation will lead to even stronger bonds between the Refuge and the community that has supported us. We feel for you, because we are you.

We will get through this—because:
We. Are. Harney. County.

Nathan Fawkes and 226 others like this."

University life

Pakistan university attack: at least 30 dead as gunmen storm Bacha Khan campus

http://gu.com/p/4gxdm?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

From The Oregonian

BURNS - The divide among friends and neighbors over the refuge occupation boiled into the open here Tuesday night in a community meeting that crackled with emotion. 

What residents have feared and only whispered about in recent days took center court at the Burns High School gymnasium.

In sometimes highly personal remarks, speaker after speaker vented anger - at public officials, at the federal government and at the man in the brown cowboy hat sitting high in the bleachers to take it all in - Ammon Bundy. 

##

Horrifying to witness, even via Twitter. The great American theme I've witnessed in my long life is Loss. Loss of civility. Loss of historic and political intelligence.

The community became two angry mobs shouting at one another. Preview of the election if Trump is the nominee.

Morris Berman is dead right. The American Empire is finished.
As it is turning out, good riddance -- but it will be ugly.

Depressing. Up early to bake bread, something POSITIVE.

Perspective

Flint Water Response Perfectly Captures The Difference Between Sanders And Clinton - http://huff.to/1V6gxND

Twitter

https://twitter.com/WandaKTVZ/status/689657339314499584/video/1

Followed Burns community meeting ... Thought I was reading Jonathan Swift.

Humans

Plastic trash will outweigh fish in oceans by 2050: researchers: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/7_-hE6mOrx8/

Why not? American exceptionalism.

Trump to NYT: Sarah Palin will be my vice president pick: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/x5T7rE8jtJQ/

City rally

http://katu.com/news/local/rally-planned-to-support-malheur-natl-wildlife-refuge-these-lands-belong-all-of-us

Passing time

Monthly housekeeper day, which keeps us in the basement out of the way. Passed time on chores ... Last hour the longest.

R.I.P.

Glenn Frey: some musical highlights of Eagles guitarist's career

http://gu.com/p/4gvfm?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Tick tock

Overfishing causing global catches to fall three times faster than estimated

http://gu.com/p/4fqn3?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Perspective

From Oregon to Australia: the unifying force of far-right resentment

http://gu.com/p/4gv96?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Booze

Michael Caine: 'I used to drink a bottle of vodka a day'

http://gu.com/p/4gvge?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Perspective

Native American women are being murdered or disappearing — but police aren’t taking the issue seriously: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/8gap-9sE0es/

Guns multiply

Sheriffs issue a call to arms: ‘Take advantage of your legal right to carry a firearm’
http://wapo.st/1Wnb1Hr

Perspective

Why bike lanes make people mad
http://wapo.st/1JUY6L7

Bikers who don't follow traffic laws make me mad. Bikers who wear designer costumes make me laugh.

Letter to Editor, Oregonian

Federal land: The Oregonian's A1 headline on Sunday, Jan. 17, "Effort to free federal lands," is inaccurate and irresponsible. The article that follows it is a mere mouthpiece for the scofflaws illegally occupying public buildings and land, repeating their lies and distortions of history and law.

Ammon Bundy and his bullyboys aren't trying to free federal lands, but to hold them hostage. I can't go to the Malheur refuge now, though as a citizen of the United States, I own it and have the freedom of it. That's what public land is: land that belongs to the public -- me, you, every law-abiding American. The people it doesn't belong to and who don't belong there are those who grabbed it by force of arms, flaunting their contempt for the local citizens.

Those citizens of Harney County have carefully hammered out agreements to manage the refuge in the best interest of landowners, scientists, visitors, tourists, livestock and wildlife. They're suffering more every day, economically and otherwise, from this invasion by outsiders. 

Instead of parroting the meaningless rants of a flock of Right-Winged Loonybirds infesting the refuge, why doesn't The Oregonian talk to the people who live there?

Ursula K. Le Guin

Northwest Portland

Perspective

Stephen Hawking: The most dangerous threats to humans now come from science and technology: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/rsxk05dQ9w8/

Perspective

There Is No Figure in Recent American History Whose Memory Is More Distorted Than Martin Luther King: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/CpR3UYoaWfY/

Give a bully an inch ...

Oregon militants LaVoy Finicum and Ryan Bundy travel to Utah to plot another armed showdown: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/0Cw-eGAkIgI/

History

Duke University's streak of 312 straight weeks in the AP women's basketball poll ends - AP http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a310f051f5a545768337700a5af08822/duke-falls-out-poll-first-time-16-years

Perspective

Spike Lee to boycott the 2016 Oscars: ’40 white actors in 2 years and no flava at all. We can’t act?! WTF!’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/oNDlNH4izss/

Ahead of curve

Report: Denmark broke world record for wind power in 2015 - Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jan/18/denmark-broke-world-record-for-wind-power-in-2015?CMP=twt_gu

Tick tock

World's oceans warming at increasingly faster rate, new study finds

http://gu.com/p/4fnz2?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Perspective

Ultra-Rich ‘Philanthrocapitalist’ Class Undermining Global Democracy, Study Says: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/vLGn78CUU-w/

Cowboy strategy

I think the dingbat cowboys at the refuge want violence with the Feds. They think it will help their cause. They won't leave without it.

The Feds either surrender or drag them out.

I would like to see locals deputized to drag them out instead -- if they would.

Violence, in any case, strikes me as inevitable from the beginning. The questions are when and how much. The dingbats will settle for nothing less.

Woof

Dogs really can tell how their owners are feeling, new study shows: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/7L2qLbLIGnQ/

Taking time

May need to live with script for a while Many subtle nuances to control -- and this is before actors enter the mix.

Buttermilk rolls

Progress

First rewrite ... closer but not there yet. Taking my time.

Work that matters

Breakfast

Red gold potatoes ... egg cheese biscuits

Perspective

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
The book that best explains Donald Trump’s appeal (and it’s not “The Art of the Deal”)
http://wapo.st/1SgKkFd

Cowboy revolution

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
‘These buildings will never, ever return to the federal government.’
http://wapo.st/1Q6rzkJ

Perspective

‘Who knows what they’re stomping on?’: Tribe worried about Ore. refuge artifacts
http://wapo.st/236mLmq

Perspective

As a doctor who treats concussions and a lifelong fan, I now believe pro football is unethical
http://wapo.st/1J9tRQu

Egging for a fight

Oregon militia's behavior increasingly brazen as public property destroyed

http://gu.com/p/4fq3p?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Sad American reality

Militia head warns feds: Don’t ‘Waco’ the Oregon occupiers unless you want a ‘bloody, brutal civil war’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/w7hQlA4QQrI/

Gaining steam

The fun part

Whole wheat

Buttermilk bread in the hopper. Olive in line.

Onward

Up early, fiddling with ending. Ready to print. Red pen. Fun begins.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

A Must-Read Between MLK's Birthday And The National Holiday: http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/must-read-between-mlks-birthday-and

##

This was originally published in the New Leader magazine ... And by coincidence, I appear in the same issue! Just a book review, but what the hell.

Dingbats keep trying

Oregon Militants Try To Recruit A ‘Constitutional’ Sheriff From Neighboring County, But Fail: http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/oregon-militants-try-recruit

From the Guardian

Oregon militia standoff: man arrested driving stolen government vehicle

http://gu.com/p/4fpnb?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Finally!

1 person arrested related to stolen vehicles from Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Ore.; 2 vehicles recovered - Harney County Sheriff http://www.flashalertbend.net/

Big step

A major hurdle in my process of writing is when I print a draft and start rewriting in red ink on hard copy.

I'm there with The Old Beatnik!

No surprise

Thanks to Donald Trump, Police Brutality and Guns, the United States’ Reputation Is Plummeting: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/wH5m3Tcxfvg/

Dingbats

Oregon militant admits locals want him gone — but refuses to leave because US is a republic: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/KhbenDE8vdw/

Fun begins

Finished a draft.

Perspective

Bernie Sanders’ Run Is No Fairy Tale: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/qzi0zyQW-ek/

##

Man, would Sanders v. Trump be interesting. Might start a Civil War.

As noted earlier, a telling comparison

Unarmed black protesters were ‘forcibly removed’ and jailed after they tried to occupy a wildlife refuge in 1979: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/6_rkn48PM_Y/

Raising hell

WATCH: Oregon lawmaker opens can of whoop-ass on feds for ignoring ‘ultra-rightwing extremist’ Bundys: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/Qn1-MdhdjQQ/

Overdue

How ‘basic income for all’ could lift millions out of poverty while cutting back ‘big government’: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/va2EsOd2zpU/

Difficult is fun

Light at end of tunnel on draft ... very hard character, very subtle nuances, needing very good actress ... but loving the work, where small changes make for big differences.

So far from the six day wonder!

Penn escapade

Sean Penn: El Chapo interview failed to start debate over war on drugs

http://gu.com/p/4fpb7?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

For example

From OregonLive:

The year: 1979.

The drama unfolding with armed occupiers holed up at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Burns is similar to a standoff that made national headlines 39 years ago in Harris Neck, Ga.

But there are also stark differences, including the race of the Harris Neck occupiers - mostly displaced descendants of West African slaves -- and the tactics used by the FBI to quickly remove what the media casually called "squatters."

Racist

Imagine Indians staging the srandoff in Eastern Oregon. Or blacks. Hispanics. Muslim-Americans. Think the Feds would show such patience? Of course not.

Red gold potato

Just discovered it. Can't get enough. Unique, perfect for breakfast.

Lucky

Resilient Seahawks stay alive – but are they lucky rather than good?

http://gu.com/p/4fzht?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Paranoia

‘Welcome to America’: Australia’s first female Muslim parliamentarian ‘interrogated’ at LAX: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/8MzRsrdtkk0/

Tech toys

I thought you might like this story from The Washington Post.
The future of sex includes robots and holograms. What does that mean for us?
http://wapo.st/1TYRX0V

First crab of season

Very interesting!

San Francisco 49ers have hired Chip Kelly as new head coach, CEO Jed York announces http://www.breakingnews.com/item/2016/01/14/san-francisco-49ers-have-hired-chip-kelly-as-new-h

Priorities

American intelligence

Sean Bean: Britain can’t believe ‘a buffoon’ like Trump could become president: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/_-PskVD86tI/

Rising heat

Militant broadcaster brands 15-year-old girl a ‘prostitute’ for crying in fear at Oregon town meeting: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/usiThHgY0EM/

Perspective

VIDEO: Kshama Sawant Delivers a Socialist Response to President Obama’s State of the Union: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/YzB6byIokCg/

Tick tock

From Seabirds to Starfish: Climate Change Driving Unprecedented Die-Offs: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/13/seabirds-starfish-climate-change-driving-unprecedented-die-offs

Dilemma

2,000 Refugees Given Three Days to Leave as Bulldozers Move Into ‘Jungle’ Camp in France: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/0cGQlOnbirE/

Routine rules

Perspective

Bernie's Insurgent Campaign Is Starting to Make the Corporate Democrats Panic: http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/132781505/0/alternet~Bernies-Insurgent-Campaign-Is-Starting-to-Make-the-Corporate-Democrats-Panic

Perspective

America’s political system has crossed into a new era of extreme dysfunctionality and inequity: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/stDquujEOsY/

Militants cut rancher's fence on their own

"I am very upset," Puckett said. His ranch hands have already repaired the fence. "They're not coming onto my place no more," he said of the militants. "If they do, I'm gonna have to do something about it. I don't want them going across my ground."

He said he has no beef with the Bureau of Land Management.

(From OregonLive)
##

Significant development, isolating militants. Locals need to take lead to get rid of them.

Mellow

Great vibes this morning, rest of week clear for reading and writing ... played out ending of play in head as I awoke ... looking good.

Not bad

Chores and writing done today.

Perspective

Student Begs Bundy To Leave At Town Meeting: 'I Shouldn't Have To Be Scared In My Hometown': http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/tearful-student-begs-bundy-leave-town

R.I.P.

Baseball Hall of Famer and civil rights pioneer Monte Irvin dies at age 96 - @BaseballHall http://baseballhall.org/news/remembering-monte-irvin

Half cylinders

Feeling under the weather ... Car chores this morning ... Tone change for protagonist, better I think ... 9 pages in ... Feeling like a one act. I know the ending.

Maybe back too bed after auto shop.

Possibilities

Scientists struggle to stay grounded after possible gravitational wave signal

http://gu.com/p/4fym8?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Bloggeroid

Baby steps

Move forward on The Old Beatnik a small step daily. Enjoy the relaxed progress, compared to frantic obsession of the six day wonder.

But it is perfectly fine with me if this is my last project.

Plot thickens

Sanders and Clinton Neck-and-Neck in Iowa and New Hampshire: http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/01/10/sanders-and-clinton-neck-and-neck-iowa-and-new-hampshire

Cartoon

Armed: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/iEVXQ6qL3E0/

Contrast

VIDEO: Remember How Bernie Sanders Treated a Muslim Woman Who Stood Up at One of His Rallies?: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Truthdig/~3/QaNWkQlTtoc/

Wet scrambled eggs with rye toast

Yum!

No football

No interest in champ game tonight. None!

Challenges

New play, the character, a real challenge. Good for me, will keep me on my toes.