Awee, NGC 2403 is so cute. The way its spiral arms are oriented in space allows you to capture its image and we can compare it to how similar it looks to our Milky Way spiral galaxy. If it were “floating” out there in space edge on from our view we wouldn’t be able to see its wonderful spiral shape. I googled the diameter of the Milky Way galaxy. It is 100,000 light years in diameter - twice as big as NGC 2403.
Robert, thanks for a well-done lead-in to what we are facing. The first part is a good synopsis on why we need to be concerned. Musk is truly the fly in the ointment, though that seems too mild a descriptor for what he is. I hope that his tendency to lose interest in new playthings comes into the picture so that we get to watch him wander off when things get beyond his capacity to control, as has happened in the past.
I am a Quaker, and the excerpt from Valerie Schultz's essay resonated in its reminders of what we risk and of our obligation to resist. I am keeping myself open to recieve whatever role I am meant for.
Thank you for the link to Amanda Gorman's beautiful new poem: some words for entering the coming times with courage and intention. I am printing it out and will put it where I can read it as needed (which may be often).
If I can, I will drop by for the Readers Party, if only for a brief hello. Thank you for always being there for us. Blessings for all you've given us this past year.
My Concluding Thoughts Robert if you need or would like a few extra days off please take them. We need you strong for next year and the year after. We will be ok.
Proposal: we develop a physical site with an electronic display, similar to the one in NYC or the famous Doomsday Clock where clearly and succinctly expressed facts that we expect or see in dispute will be presented.
Trump accused Dems of overspending ______
Trump demanded Debt Ceiling to be eliminated 12/__/2024.
(In advance of his term in office).
Trump calls out Democrats/Joe Biden for raising the Debt Ceiling, blaming Joe Biden on ________.
Informative, accurate broadcasts of the facts from within these excellently researched/thought out/expressed Substack you all create.
As a Republican for nearly 40 years( sorry, I am a RINO now, I’m told) I recall men and women with a spine and a brain. Even though I might not have always voted R I did listen to their arguments. I was shocked today that a few R’s in the house found their spine and appeared to have a brain. To keep kissing the butt of a moron never leads to anything good for the country. Right on. Some of you house members may have a future in America, still a decent Republic, last time I checked.
As much as I disapprove of the Georgia Appeals Court ruling, we must sadly recognize that this was brought about by a fatal lapse of judgement on the part of District Attorney Willis. A lapse of judgement which has enabled the ongoing inability of our justice system to hold Trump accountable for anything.
It seems like we need a general strike or mass protests like South Korea. As a country, we’re not there yet, or maybe never. It has to get much worse for people to understand.
In this time of Republican chaos, I always like to reread Thom Hartmann's article from 2018 regarding the Two Santa Clauses con that Republicans have been running for the last 40 years. That plan now seems to be on steroids with Trump proposing raisig the debt ceiling so that, once again Republicans can spend like drunken sailors in office and then become deficit hawks when Dems are in office trying to clean up the mess created. See what you think...
What a disaster Egg-on-the-Face moment for Musk and Trump - oh, and Mike Johnson too. A consequence of arrogance, ignorance, and incompetence as well as major confusion about who's really in charge. I want to lift of the 38 brave Republicans who stood up to their demands. I realize they can't be counted on to refuse all of Trumps future demands - approving his clown car of nominees and any regressive tax cuts, tariffs, etc. _ but I see this as a positive sign that there are some thoughtful and courageous Republicans who might thwart some of Trump's worst policy proposals and stand up to the shadow President Elon Musk. Let's show them our support!
Thank you for linking us to "New Day’s Lyric by Amanda Gorman" in your 12/20 Newsletter. I was looking for something to read at tomorrow's Solstice Ceremony in our Sangha. Perfect!
"At some point, the government must function in order to sustain the financial markets and infrastructure that impart value to Musk’s shares in his electric car and spaceflight companies."
Indeed, when the government goes dark, so too will Musk's profit in Space X since NASA is Space X's largest customer.
"The Georgia appeals court ruled that the mere appearance of impropriety requires disqualification of Willis and her entire office."
As we've learned, Ethics only applies if you're not a Republican.
Awee, NGC 2403 is so cute. The way its spiral arms are oriented in space allows you to capture its image and we can compare it to how similar it looks to our Milky Way spiral galaxy. If it were “floating” out there in space edge on from our view we wouldn’t be able to see its wonderful spiral shape. I googled the diameter of the Milky Way galaxy. It is 100,000 light years in diameter - twice as big as NGC 2403.
Robert, thanks for a well-done lead-in to what we are facing. The first part is a good synopsis on why we need to be concerned. Musk is truly the fly in the ointment, though that seems too mild a descriptor for what he is. I hope that his tendency to lose interest in new playthings comes into the picture so that we get to watch him wander off when things get beyond his capacity to control, as has happened in the past.
I am a Quaker, and the excerpt from Valerie Schultz's essay resonated in its reminders of what we risk and of our obligation to resist. I am keeping myself open to recieve whatever role I am meant for.
Thank you for the link to Amanda Gorman's beautiful new poem: some words for entering the coming times with courage and intention. I am printing it out and will put it where I can read it as needed (which may be often).
If I can, I will drop by for the Readers Party, if only for a brief hello. Thank you for always being there for us. Blessings for all you've given us this past year.
My Concluding Thoughts Robert if you need or would like a few extra days off please take them. We need you strong for next year and the year after. We will be ok.
Proposal: we develop a physical site with an electronic display, similar to the one in NYC or the famous Doomsday Clock where clearly and succinctly expressed facts that we expect or see in dispute will be presented.
Trump accused Dems of overspending ______
Trump demanded Debt Ceiling to be eliminated 12/__/2024.
(In advance of his term in office).
Trump calls out Democrats/Joe Biden for raising the Debt Ceiling, blaming Joe Biden on ________.
Informative, accurate broadcasts of the facts from within these excellently researched/thought out/expressed Substack you all create.
Etc.
As a Republican for nearly 40 years( sorry, I am a RINO now, I’m told) I recall men and women with a spine and a brain. Even though I might not have always voted R I did listen to their arguments. I was shocked today that a few R’s in the house found their spine and appeared to have a brain. To keep kissing the butt of a moron never leads to anything good for the country. Right on. Some of you house members may have a future in America, still a decent Republic, last time I checked.
As much as I disapprove of the Georgia Appeals Court ruling, we must sadly recognize that this was brought about by a fatal lapse of judgement on the part of District Attorney Willis. A lapse of judgement which has enabled the ongoing inability of our justice system to hold Trump accountable for anything.
I can totally picture Amanda Gorman reciting those words with her voice, her reflections and her hands. Thank you for sharing
Happy holidays to you and all your readers. We will continue to fight the good fight 💕💕💕
It seems like we need a general strike or mass protests like South Korea. As a country, we’re not there yet, or maybe never. It has to get much worse for people to understand.
The two "Democrats" who voted for the revised GOP bill should hear from their constituents:
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, WA 3rd
Kathie Castor, FL 14th
In this time of Republican chaos, I always like to reread Thom Hartmann's article from 2018 regarding the Two Santa Clauses con that Republicans have been running for the last 40 years. That plan now seems to be on steroids with Trump proposing raisig the debt ceiling so that, once again Republicans can spend like drunken sailors in office and then become deficit hawks when Dems are in office trying to clean up the mess created. See what you think...
https://www.salon.com/2018/02/12/thom-hartmann-how-the-gop-used-a-two-santa-clauses-tactic-to-con-america-for-nearly-40-years_partner/?fbclid=IwAR2m6zMH_oDSRaNQtwr_oEE9-FHH7lr_JZEGLAhDw83tWWV6wtdI2-T8YTk
Citizens United - the Extreme Court said money is speech and not the root of all evil. For shame.
Check out Lawrence O’Donnell for a succinct explanation of why Trump wants to raise the debt ceiling right now.
What a disaster Egg-on-the-Face moment for Musk and Trump - oh, and Mike Johnson too. A consequence of arrogance, ignorance, and incompetence as well as major confusion about who's really in charge. I want to lift of the 38 brave Republicans who stood up to their demands. I realize they can't be counted on to refuse all of Trumps future demands - approving his clown car of nominees and any regressive tax cuts, tariffs, etc. _ but I see this as a positive sign that there are some thoughtful and courageous Republicans who might thwart some of Trump's worst policy proposals and stand up to the shadow President Elon Musk. Let's show them our support!
Thank you for linking us to "New Day’s Lyric by Amanda Gorman" in your 12/20 Newsletter. I was looking for something to read at tomorrow's Solstice Ceremony in our Sangha. Perfect!
I’m having trouble sending an email to Robert. Please advise as to his correct email address.
A couple of comments:
"At some point, the government must function in order to sustain the financial markets and infrastructure that impart value to Musk’s shares in his electric car and spaceflight companies."
Indeed, when the government goes dark, so too will Musk's profit in Space X since NASA is Space X's largest customer.
"The Georgia appeals court ruled that the mere appearance of impropriety requires disqualification of Willis and her entire office."
As we've learned, Ethics only applies if you're not a Republican.
‘ She Says Grace Before Dinner”
……………………………always
She told me she is a Republican
I’m not
She told me she believes when I vote I should look past “his” personal transgressions.
I couldn’t
She told me she is a Catholic
I was
She said she believes in the Nicene Creed
I don’t
She told me she doesn’t respect our institutions
I do
She told me she’s concerned about her chip shot when she goes to the desert this winter.
okay
I told her I am a Democrat.
I told her I couldn’t look past his lifetime of infidelity, porn stars, felonies and fraud.
I told her I haven’t been a practicing catholic for 55 years.
I said I believe in the Beatitudes and the Corporal Works of Mercy.