Light A Little Candle For Joe Biden

 

The  scary dorks...corporate and big oil puppets

Suffice it to say that for over the past two weeks, I have been attempting to adapt to taking the correct dose of Tramadol, and it has been a disaster. The goal is to be able to stand up and stay on my legs for at least twenty minutes - right now I'm at about 45 minutes. This coming Tuesday I go in to the Orthopedic Specialist to nail down when the damned surgery (knee replacement) is going to be scheduled. So, it is basically a mess here, unsure if we are going to be able to do Christmas, maybe a tiny tree and that's about it. I'm pretty much handicapped, Mike has to do everything but he makes really good Chinese food ! Let me know if you want any of his recipes, the Chop Suey with noodles is to die for.

I'm trying to keep up with the news, and considerably despondent over this weeks election results. To me, it was just another nail in the coffin and another affirmation that the United States is completely  dumbed - down and going down the tubes, rapidly. 

 

 

More scary dorks

 

I mean, check this out:

 ~ From  Raw Story:

QAnon Fans Mocked after JFK Jr Does Not Rise From the Dead To Join Trump's 2024 Ticket: 'The Prophecy Has Not Failed'

 Bob Brigham

November 02, 2021

 

  More Scary Dorks: 

 ~ From CNN:

Trump-Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate Appears With Nazi Sympathizer and QAnon-Linked Activists At Campaign Events

By Em Steck and Andrew Kaczynski, CNN

Updated 6:12 PM ET, Thu November 4, 2021

 

 ~ From Informed Comment:

 

 

 

Is America's Dysfunction Harming Democracy Around the World ? 

 

John Feffer 11/04/2021

 

"( Foreign Policy in Focus) – In 988, Prince Vladimir was undecided about which of the three great monotheistic religions to bring to his Russian realm. He sent envoys to the lands of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The envoys returned with stories of the three faiths.

According to legend, Vladimir rejected Judaism and Islam because of their dietary restrictions. The envoy who returned from Byzantium, meanwhile, spoke of the beauty and pomp of the services in the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. As a result, Vladimir chose what would become Orthodox Christianity and forced his subjects to convert accordingly. Today, more than a thousand years later, Russia remains a predominantly Orthodox nation.

Now, imagine that the ruler of a contemporary country must decide on what political system to adopt. She sends envoys to the capitals of three different realms: Washington, Brussels, and Beijing. A month later, the envoys return full of stories.

The envoy to Brussels describes the prosperous region of Europe.

“Each country has its own democracy,” she tells the ruler. “And they all cooperate to form a European Union of democracies. There is a strong sense of social responsibility toward the less fortunate, and the richer regions help out the poorer ones. The state plays an important role in the economy, citizens are involved in all levels of governance, and there is a lively multilinguistic culture. On the other hand, the decision-making in Brussels can be very confusing and many people complain about what seem to be arbitrary rules. Sometimes it seems that the market drives the government and not the other way around. The strangest part is that some countries and regions want to leave this European Union while other countries are desperate to join.”

“Should we adopt their system here?” the ruler asks.

“It is well adapted to the diversity of our country,” the envoy responds. “So, I give you a qualified yes.”

The next envoy describes the dynamic region of China.

“It is a vast land,” he reports. “But it is ruled over by a single man. The people there told me that there was once more of a collective leadership under the ruling party but this man has effectively declared himself leader for life. Some provinces and municipalities show some independence, but it is a rigidly hierarchical political system. On the other hand, the country has pulled countless people out of poverty, it continues to grow economically, and the state can allocate resources very quickly to address issues such as the climate crisis.”

“Should we adopt their system here?” the ruler asks.

“It is a good choice if we only care about economic growth,” the second envoy answers. “But it is not a good place for people who think differently, and we are a diverse country. So, I give you a qualified no.”

The ruler turns to the last envoy. “I have heard very much about this distant land of America. I have watched many American movies and listened to a lot of American music. It boasts that it is the best country on earth. Should we adopt the American style of democracy?”

The third envoy is quiet for a long time before she begins to speak.

“America is a very strange country,” she says. “It calls itself a democracy, but I’m not sure if that is the right label for its political system. In their Congress, for instance, one man is blocking the passage of a number of important bills. This Democratic senator from West Virginia is holding up a major spending bill because he thinks it’s too big and includes money for things like reducing the use of fossil fuels. But he comes from one of the poorest states in the union and he actually makes a lot of money from the coal industry.”

“How can one man hold so much power in a democracy?” the ruler asks.

“I don’t know. This senator has also insisted on his own version of a voting rights bill in order to attract Republican support, but no Republicans will support his bill. And still he refuses to consider changes to the filibuster rule.”

“The filibuster rule?” the ruler asks.

“The Senate is divided evenly between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. Because of the filibuster rule, the passage of most legislation requires at least 60 votes. Some Democrats want to change the filibuster rule so that they can pass the voting rights bill with 51.”

“But you said that the Senate is evenly divided.”

“The vice president, who is a Democrat, votes to break 50-50 ties.”

“But surely these policymakers can work together in the national interest?” the ruler asks.

“America is very polarized,” the envoy replies. “A number of Republican members of Congress believe that the previous president, who lost the last election, actually won and should be sitting in the White House. They say that there was widespread fraud in the last election, but they have absolutely no proof. And that isn’t even the most outlandish conspiracy theory that’s circulating among elected officials. Some believe that the coronavirus pandemic isn’t real and that the vaccines are not effective.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” the ruler observes.

“The country is literally falling apart,” the envoy reports. “The roads, the bridges, the public transportation: all are in terrible shape. But elected officials disagree about the simplest fixes. There are enough guns in the country for every citizen to have at least one, and the homicide rate is shocking. But elected officials can’t agree on the mildest gun control measures. In 2016, the citizens elected a president who very nearly launched a coup to stay in power. This ex-president remains the de facto head of his party and will likely run again for office in 2024.”

“Well,” the ruler begins, “that all sounds – “

“I haven’t told you about the Supreme Court or the widespread racism or the influence of big corporations.” The envoy grows more agitated. “Or about the 2000 election. Or the gerrymandering and voter suppression and what’s happening now with school board elections.”

“Perhaps you – “

“There was just an election in Virginia for governor that was so full of lies and misrepresentations that I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!”

“I’m sure that – “

“And Washington continues to promote its version of democracy abroad as a model!” the envoy continues. “How can Americans think that anyone would want to follow their version of democracy? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if America splits into two parts in the next five years and one part becomes a dictatorship!”

This last envoy collapses in tears. “I am just so grateful to be home.”

The ruler puts her arm around the shoulders of the envoy. She doesn’t even need to ask her last question.

“Maybe we should send out some more envoys,” the ruler says. “I’ve heard some good things about South Korea, New Zealand, and Bhutan…”

 

Via Foreign Policy in Focus

An earlier version of this piece appeared in Hankyoreh.

——

About the Author

John Feffer is the director of Foreign Policy In Focus. His latest book is Right Across the World: The Global Networking of the Far-Right and the Left Response.. He is also the author of the dystopian novel Splinterlands

 

~~~~~

 As far as the Virginia Gubernatorial race, I just do not buy that  a considerable number of the GOP voters were anti-Trump. 

 

 ~ From Democracy Now !:

 

" On the other hand, Republicans nominated a candidate who was untested, Glenn Youngkin, but who was very sophisticated, very disciplined in his approach. And what he did was, at once, embrace Donald Trump’s constituency — I mean, actually, clearly accept Trump’s support and clearly, you know, communicate that he was on board with a lot of where Trump was at — but at the same time, in his overall messaging, seek to identify himself with just enough distance that he could appeal to folks who don’t necessarily like Donald Trump."

 

 The Nation's John Nichols On Promises or Voters Will Punish the Party

 

~~~~~

All of the local news here:

 

Zeta Tijuana

 

Meanwhile, last month we were at 134 executions in TIJ, which is actually a low number compared to all the months where we were at anywhere between 160 to 180. Still, it is unknown if this lesser number is an anomaly , and currently the situation is brutal. 

 

~~~~~

 

Maybe a bit later I can elaborate on those Zeta Reports, because they are significant.

 

So, how's the gang of three? Well,  Rubio snuck out twice, but returned wihin hours. He can't really DO anything like the other feral males, but apparently he is listening to the call of the wild. Paris & Totsie worry constantly when he goes out, I don't blame them. Speaking of which, I need to go down for a nap I just took a tram & tylenol.

I have been reading when I'm not knocked out, working on re-reads of E.M. Forster which is nice, Mike grabbed "Peril".

And, trying to de-stress from the US Political shenanigans, finding that this series is dreamy and soothing and fits the bill: 

I can't pull the video up for some reason. So go here - hit title for the link:

 

All Creatures Great and Small Season 2 Highlights

 

  Lemme try it again: Over & Out For Now....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Light A Little Candle For Joe Biden

 

The  scary dorks...corporate and big oil puppets

Suffice it to say that for over the past two weeks, I have been attempting to adapt to taking the correct dose of Tramadol, and it has been a disaster. The goal is to be able to stand up and stay on my legs for at least twenty minutes - right now I'm at about 45 minutes. This coming Tuesday I go in to the Orthopedic Specialist to nail down when the damned surgery (knee replacement) is going to be scheduled. So, it is basically a mess here, unsure if we are going to be able to do Christmas, maybe a tiny tree and that's about it. I'm pretty much handicapped, Mike has to do everything but he makes really good Chinese food ! Let me know if you want any of his recipes, the Chop Suey with noodles is to die for.

I'm trying to keep up with the news, and considerably despondent over this weeks election results. To me, it was just another nail in the coffin and another affirmation that the United States is completely  dumbed - down and going down the tubes, rapidly. 

 

 

More scary dorks

 

I mean, check this out:

 ~ From  Raw Story:

QAnon Fans Mocked after JFK Jr Does Not Rise From the Dead To Join Trump's 2024 Ticket: 'The Prophecy Has Not Failed'

 Bob Brigham

November 02, 2021

 

  More Scary Dorks: 

 ~ From CNN:

Trump-Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate Appears With Nazi Sympathizer and QAnon-Linked Activists At Campaign Events

By Em Steck and Andrew Kaczynski, CNN

Updated 6:12 PM ET, Thu November 4, 2021

 

 ~ From Informed Comment:

 

 

 

Is America's Dysfunction Harming Democracy Around the World ? 

 

John Feffer 11/04/2021

 

"( Foreign Policy in Focus) – In 988, Prince Vladimir was undecided about which of the three great monotheistic religions to bring to his Russian realm. He sent envoys to the lands of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The envoys returned with stories of the three faiths.

According to legend, Vladimir rejected Judaism and Islam because of their dietary restrictions. The envoy who returned from Byzantium, meanwhile, spoke of the beauty and pomp of the services in the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. As a result, Vladimir chose what would become Orthodox Christianity and forced his subjects to convert accordingly. Today, more than a thousand years later, Russia remains a predominantly Orthodox nation.

Now, imagine that the ruler of a contemporary country must decide on what political system to adopt. She sends envoys to the capitals of three different realms: Washington, Brussels, and Beijing. A month later, the envoys return full of stories.

The envoy to Brussels describes the prosperous region of Europe.

“Each country has its own democracy,” she tells the ruler. “And they all cooperate to form a European Union of democracies. There is a strong sense of social responsibility toward the less fortunate, and the richer regions help out the poorer ones. The state plays an important role in the economy, citizens are involved in all levels of governance, and there is a lively multilinguistic culture. On the other hand, the decision-making in Brussels can be very confusing and many people complain about what seem to be arbitrary rules. Sometimes it seems that the market drives the government and not the other way around. The strangest part is that some countries and regions want to leave this European Union while other countries are desperate to join.”

“Should we adopt their system here?” the ruler asks.

“It is well adapted to the diversity of our country,” the envoy responds. “So, I give you a qualified yes.”

The next envoy describes the dynamic region of China.

“It is a vast land,” he reports. “But it is ruled over by a single man. The people there told me that there was once more of a collective leadership under the ruling party but this man has effectively declared himself leader for life. Some provinces and municipalities show some independence, but it is a rigidly hierarchical political system. On the other hand, the country has pulled countless people out of poverty, it continues to grow economically, and the state can allocate resources very quickly to address issues such as the climate crisis.”

“Should we adopt their system here?” the ruler asks.

“It is a good choice if we only care about economic growth,” the second envoy answers. “But it is not a good place for people who think differently, and we are a diverse country. So, I give you a qualified no.”

The ruler turns to the last envoy. “I have heard very much about this distant land of America. I have watched many American movies and listened to a lot of American music. It boasts that it is the best country on earth. Should we adopt the American style of democracy?”

The third envoy is quiet for a long time before she begins to speak.

“America is a very strange country,” she says. “It calls itself a democracy, but I’m not sure if that is the right label for its political system. In their Congress, for instance, one man is blocking the passage of a number of important bills. This Democratic senator from West Virginia is holding up a major spending bill because he thinks it’s too big and includes money for things like reducing the use of fossil fuels. But he comes from one of the poorest states in the union and he actually makes a lot of money from the coal industry.”

“How can one man hold so much power in a democracy?” the ruler asks.

“I don’t know. This senator has also insisted on his own version of a voting rights bill in order to attract Republican support, but no Republicans will support his bill. And still he refuses to consider changes to the filibuster rule.”

“The filibuster rule?” the ruler asks.

“The Senate is divided evenly between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans. Because of the filibuster rule, the passage of most legislation requires at least 60 votes. Some Democrats want to change the filibuster rule so that they can pass the voting rights bill with 51.”

“But you said that the Senate is evenly divided.”

“The vice president, who is a Democrat, votes to break 50-50 ties.”

“But surely these policymakers can work together in the national interest?” the ruler asks.

“America is very polarized,” the envoy replies. “A number of Republican members of Congress believe that the previous president, who lost the last election, actually won and should be sitting in the White House. They say that there was widespread fraud in the last election, but they have absolutely no proof. And that isn’t even the most outlandish conspiracy theory that’s circulating among elected officials. Some believe that the coronavirus pandemic isn’t real and that the vaccines are not effective.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” the ruler observes.

“The country is literally falling apart,” the envoy reports. “The roads, the bridges, the public transportation: all are in terrible shape. But elected officials disagree about the simplest fixes. There are enough guns in the country for every citizen to have at least one, and the homicide rate is shocking. But elected officials can’t agree on the mildest gun control measures. In 2016, the citizens elected a president who very nearly launched a coup to stay in power. This ex-president remains the de facto head of his party and will likely run again for office in 2024.”

“Well,” the ruler begins, “that all sounds – “

“I haven’t told you about the Supreme Court or the widespread racism or the influence of big corporations.” The envoy grows more agitated. “Or about the 2000 election. Or the gerrymandering and voter suppression and what’s happening now with school board elections.”

“Perhaps you – “

“There was just an election in Virginia for governor that was so full of lies and misrepresentations that I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!”

“I’m sure that – “

“And Washington continues to promote its version of democracy abroad as a model!” the envoy continues. “How can Americans think that anyone would want to follow their version of democracy? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if America splits into two parts in the next five years and one part becomes a dictatorship!”

This last envoy collapses in tears. “I am just so grateful to be home.”

The ruler puts her arm around the shoulders of the envoy. She doesn’t even need to ask her last question.

“Maybe we should send out some more envoys,” the ruler says. “I’ve heard some good things about South Korea, New Zealand, and Bhutan…”

 

Via Foreign Policy in Focus

An earlier version of this piece appeared in Hankyoreh.

——

About the Author

John Feffer is the director of Foreign Policy In Focus. His latest book is Right Across the World: The Global Networking of the Far-Right and the Left Response.. He is also the author of the dystopian novel Splinterlands

 

~~~~~

 As far as the Virginia Gubernatorial race, I just do not buy that  a considerable number of the GOP voters were anti-Trump. 

 

 ~ From Democracy Now !:

 

" On the other hand, Republicans nominated a candidate who was untested, Glenn Youngkin, but who was very sophisticated, very disciplined in his approach. And what he did was, at once, embrace Donald Trump’s constituency — I mean, actually, clearly accept Trump’s support and clearly, you know, communicate that he was on board with a lot of where Trump was at — but at the same time, in his overall messaging, seek to identify himself with just enough distance that he could appeal to folks who don’t necessarily like Donald Trump."

 

 The Nation's John Nichols On Promises or Voters Will Punish the Party

 

~~~~~

All of the local news here:

 

Zeta Tijuana

 

Meanwhile, last month we were at 134 executions in TIJ, which is actually a low number compared to all the months where we were at anywhere between 160 to 180. Still, it is unknown if this lesser number is an anomaly , and currently the situation is brutal. 

 

~~~~~

 

Maybe a bit later I can elaborate on those Zeta Reports, because they are significant.

 

So, how's the gang of three? Well,  Rubio snuck out twice, but returned wihin hours. He can't really DO anything like the other feral males, but apparently he is listening to the call of the wild. Paris & Totsie worry constantly when he goes out, I don't blame them. Speaking of which, I need to go down for a nap I just took a tram & tylenol.

I have been reading when I'm not knocked out, working on re-reads of E.M. Forster which is nice, Mike grabbed "Peril".

And, trying to de-stress from the US Political shenanigans, finding that this series is dreamy and soothing and fits the bill: 

I can't pull the video up for some reason. So go here - hit title for the link:

 

All Creatures Great and Small Season 2 Highlights

 

  Lemme try it again: Over & Out For Now....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Cuidado en Rancho Grande, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga - Yikes ! Second Day of the Baja Beach Fest With Thousands Attending, And No One Is Wearing A Mask: A Veritable "Lemming Crusade" - "The DeltaVariant Of Global Stupidity" By John Feffert !

Although right now, the temperature is running 90 degrees with no shade, so I'm unsure how many folks would be off to camping on the beautiful Sea Of Cortez... but it didn't work out to good for these guys:

 ~ From Zeta: 

 

Hombres Armados Roban 2 Millones de Pesos de la Nomina en Un Empagne de Ojos Negros

Destacados  -  Marco A. Flores  - sábado, 14 agosto, 2021 10:22 AM

 

" ENSENADA.- Armed men stole approximately 2 million pesos from the Sonora Prime agricultural package in the town of Ojos Negros, Ensenada municipality; the money was from payroll to pay workers.

Authorities reported that the robbery occurred around 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, when two men arrived at the pumpkin packaging, threatened the employees and took the money.

The Municipal Public Security Directorate did not report detained persons.

THREE AMERICAN TRUCKS STOLE WITH VIOLENCE

Three American vehicles that were in Rancho Grande, San Luis Gonzaga , were violently stripped from their owners at gunpoint.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. it was reported that armed individuals threatened the foreigners and took away a 4Runner truck, a black Tacoma pickup and a black Tahoe pickup.

Unofficially, it is believed that the robbery occurred after the thieves placed a false checkpoint .

Another robbery with similar violence occurred in the early morning of this Saturday, August 14, around 2:00 a.m.

Six men with long weapons beat the driver of a 2020 GMC Sierra pickup, who was stripped of the unit.

Also this morning, at around 9:30 a.m., a gas station in the Aguajito neighborhood was violently robbed; an armed man stole 3,000 pesos."

 

 ~~~~~ 

So beware of false checkpoints I would say anywhere south of Puertecitos, right ? Or for that matter, false checkpoints anywhere.

Meanwhile, we are still trying to find out if our health insurance covers alternative cortisone injections, if not I'm stuck. Also I have to lower my A1c by half of a point before they can do the knee surgery. The refrigerator turned into a bit of a drama  but after living out of coolers filled with ice for several days all is now well. Horrible humid hot yesterday, today it was still warm but we had a slight breeze.

I'll be back, but to hold you over here are the AP Mexico headlines - note that Biden is sending millions more doses of vaccine to Mexico  which hasn't really been reported by the local press; Mex wanted 3.5 million doses and the US is sending them 8.5 million doses. And jeez how about that lunatic who killed his kids down here in Rosarito ? My question is....what about the wife? Was she going to be the next victim or was she part of it ?I don't think that Mexicans fully grasp the power, sway and dangers of the Q-Anon and other conspiracy elements in the USA, notably that includes the anti-vaxxers.

AP: MEXICO

~~~~~ 

Update/edit: Well this is going to make you sick...this is the second day of the so-called "Baja Beach Fest" in Rosarito with thousands in attendance and no one is even wearing a mask. Forget about the highway robbers over yonder, this is even more deadly. Yet, the people were basically given the go ahead by the Mayor of Rosarito and we were told that officials would shut the thing down if protocols were not observed...but they did  not shut it down. According to Zeta, the majority of people in attendance are gringos. Mama Mia, check out the pictures:

 ~ From Zeta:

Sin Respetar Medidas Sanitarias Segundo Dia Del Baja Beach Fest 

 Destacados  -  Víctor Delgado  - domingo, 15 agosto, 2021 12:54 PM

 
"Yesterday afternoon, authorities of the Playas de Rosarito city council declared to verify the areas where the sanitary protocols proposed by organizers and reviewed by the State Secretary of Health, were failing during the realization of the Latin music event Baja Beach Fest 2021 on the beaches of Rosarito, which, on its second day, again gathered a strong crowd, and thousands of attendees could be observed without complying with the order of the strict use of face masks.

 Despite the epidemiological yellow traffic light and with the increase in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant emerging throughout the country, they still have not withdrawn the endorsement for the cancellation of the urban sound event, which has brought together more than 19 thousand people in its second day under the presentation of the artists Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Mariah, Guaynaa, Lenny Tavarez, Farruko, and where it was verified through stories and images shared through social networks the null healthy distance and lack of use of face masks in the festival, specific points marked by the State Secretary of Health to carry out massive shows.

 In turn, the Secretary of Health of Baja California, Alonso Pérez Rico, in a morning conference on Saturday, pointed out a meeting with the Baja Beach Fest organizers and authorities to make a “team back” about what happened last Friday in the first day of the event and with areas where protocols were failing, in turn he stressed that if they followed the breach of sanitary regulations, they would choose to cancel said event.

“In Baja California we are going to protect the health of our citizens. If the protocols are not being followed, these events cannot take place. We are on trial. It is that simple, if the protocols of the Secretary of Health are not respected, the events cannot be carried out because we have to give priority to health before anything else, ”said Pérez Rico.

For his part, Marco Aurelio Gámez Servín, Coepris State Commissioner highlighted that revisions of the protocols would be carried out on the second day of the massive show, underlining that “as verifiers and with the powers granted to them by the General Health Law of the State , they would see that the protocols that the organizers presented to them to carry out Baja Beach Fest are fulfilled " 

Likewise, he pointed out that the call for attention to organizers would come if a large percentage of the attendees do not comply with the use of face masks, a situation that, from what is observed in different media and social networks, was not fulfilled. It is worth mentioning that Baja Beach Fest 2021 is an outdoor event with 90% of its attendees already vaccinated, however, the massive crowding without healthy distance and the lack of use of a mask by those present once the health filters and security have caused the urban spectacle to be strongly criticized and put before the national focus, despite re-incurring the practice of a “cultural issue”, as described by the mayor of Rosarito Aracely Brown, today the municipality is preparing for the third day with the arrival of the Colombian J. Balvin.

On the other hand, La Feria Rosarito 2021 was another event which once again failed to comply with the rules on sanitation and health protocols with thousands of people crowded under the stage where Enigma Norteño will be presented. Faced with his first offense last week, Pérez Rico announced to the organizers of the following events that they would have to resubmit their "no inconvenience" letter, however, yesterday these protocols were again incurred.

Internationally, another massive spectacle that is in the eye of the hurricane is the 2021 Lollapalooza Music Festival, in Chicago, which was attended by around 395 thousand people during the 4 days of the festival. After its completion, it was recently announced that 203 attendees confirmed to the authorities that they had tested positive for COVID-19. Given the fact and criticism of the show, health authorities mentioned that "There is no evidence that Lollapalooza was a" super contagious "event, said Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

For the moment, Baja Beach Fest 2021 continues with its activities this day while doubts remain whether or not it will take place in its second week, which is scheduled from August 20 to 22."

 

~~~~~

 

Well, we all know that the white eyes are simply not coming to Rosarito anymore, the goose who laid the golden egg are the Mexican-Americans, and even though they certainly don't tip as well, they are the last ones the authorities want to to insult.  The show must go on !

Which brings us to this report, borrowed from Juan Cole:

 ~ From Foreign Policy In Focus :

THE DELTA VARIANT OF GLOBAL STUPIDITY 

Why is the far right jumping on the anti-vaccination bandwagon?

By John Feffer | August 11, 2021 

 

"You’d think that the whole world could unite against a deadly virus. COVID-19 has already sickened over 200 million people around the world and killed over 4 million. It has now mutated into more contagious forms that threaten to plunge the globe into another spin cycle of lockdown.

Avoiding global catastrophe from the more infectious delta variant of COVID-19 doesn’t require a huge commitment from people and governments. Richer countries just have to ensure more widespread availability of vaccines. And individuals have to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 is not an asteroid on a collision course with the planet. It’s not an imminent nuclear war. It’s an invisible enemy that humanity has demonstrated it can beat. It just requires a bit of cooperation.

So, what’s the problem?

Actually, there are three problems. The first has to do with supply, since the richest nations have cornered the market on the vaccines and have been criminally slow to get them to poorer countries. On the entire continent of Africa, for instance, less than 2 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

The second problem, on the demand side, is the commonplace resistance to the newfangled, in this case a vaccine that was developed very quickly, hasn’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and has some side effects that are harmful for a very small number of people. Hesitation is understandable. But not when placed against the obvious lethality of COVID-19 and the clear benefits of herd immunity.

The third problem is political. The far right has jumped on the anti-vaccination bandwagon, seized control of the wheel, and is driving the vehicle, al-Qaeda-style, straight into oncoming traffic.

Both in the United States and globally, the far right has long been infected by various harmful delusions—the superiority of white people, the fiction of climate change, the evils of government. As the far right has spread, thanks to vectors like Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro and Viktor Orbán and Narendra Modi, those delusions have mutated.

Now, with its anti-vaccine opportunism, the far right is circulating a new delta variant of global stupidity: virally through social media, in a shower of spit and invective on the street, and through top-down lunacy from politicians and political parties. COVID-19 and all of its variants will eventually burn themselves out, though at who knows what cost. The latest versions of global stupidity promoted by the far right, however, are proving far more resistant to science, reason, and just plain common sense.

Hijacking the Anti-Vax Movement

The Brothers of Italy is a neo-fascist formation that is now polling the highest of any political party today in Italy. With 21 percent support, this pro-Mussolini throwback is just ahead of the far-right Lega party. Throw in Silvio Berlusconi’s Forward Italy party at 7 percent and the hard right looks as if it could form the next government in Italy whenever the next elections are held.

How did the Brothers of Italy grow in several months from a few percent to the leading party in the polls?

Led by Giorgia Meloni, a woman who predictably decries Islam and immigrants, the Brothers of Italy started out as a booster of vaccines, which seemed like a pretty safe position in a country that has suffered so much at the hands of COVID-19.

But Meloni abruptly shifted the party’s stance when the Italian government, currently led by technocrat Mario Draghi, introduced a “green pass” that allows the vaccinated to eat in restaurants, go to bars, and enter various public places like museums. Meloni called the pass “the final step on the road to the creation of an Orwellian society,” which “limits the freedom of citizens, further devastates the economy and de facto introduces a vaccine mandate.”

Limits the freedom of citizens? The freedom to infect other people with a deadly virus?

Effectively, Meloni wants to grant all citizens the same right that James Bond famously possessed: the license to kill.

Unfortunately, such nonsense has support outside Italy as well.

In France, the government of Emmanuel Macron has instituted a similar health pass as well as mandating that all medical professionals get vaccinated. The response has been ferocious, with several demonstrations of over 100,000 people mobilizing around the country.

It might seem at first glance that the French protestors are just ordinary folks who are sick and tired of government intrusions in their lives, similar to the Yellow Vest protestors from 2018. But the organizers of these anti-vax protests are the usual suspects from the far right like Florian Philippot, a former top aide of the National Rally’s Marine Le Pen. National Rally and the equally rabid Debout La France have come out against Macron’s policies. Unfortunately, some leading members of the left-wing France Unbowed party have also endorsed the rallies. As in the United States, French anti-vaxxers are resorting to anti-system conspiracy theories up to and including QAnon.

Despite the size of these rallies, whipped up by the far right, a majority of French support the health pass and nearly 70 percent of the population has gotten at least one shot (compared to only 58 percent in the United States). But the far right sees the anti-vaccine movement as an opportunity to worm its way into the mainstream in France and elsewhere, such as the Querdenken movement in Germany, the anti-Semitic far right in Poland, and evangelical Christian organizations in the Philippines.

Toward this end, the far right has eagerly employed the services of such “useful idiots” as Robert Kennedy, Jr., perhaps the most famous face of the anti-vaccine movement. The Polish far-right party Konfederacja invited Kennedy to speak on-line to a Polish parliamentary group on vaccines. Kennedy also put his social media power behind a global day against vaccines that took place last October in 15 countries from Europe to Latin America, which a number of far-right parties helped to organize.

Originally in the United States, vaccine skepticism circulated mainly on the left, where suspicions of chemicals and corporations created a resistance to having just any substance injected into one’s arm. But then along came Donald Trump, the dark conspiracy theories of the alt-right, and ultimately QAnon, which focused latent anti-government sentiments against the medical establishment and its COVID-19 vaccines. Suddenly, videos like Plandemic were zipping around cyberspace, and prominent anti-vaxxers like “healthy lifestyle advocate” Larry D. Cook fell under the sway of QAnon.

Today, in a tired repeat of 2020, U.S. anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers are again protesting in front of governors’ mansions, bringing their message to Disneyland, and shutting down school board meetings. If COVID-19 were a wealthy corporation that underwrote such disruptions, these actions would make at least some economic sense. If COVID-19 were a wildly popular musical group or a subversively attractive religious cult that governments were trying to suppress, the frenzy of crowds would be somewhat understandable.

But COVID-19 is a deadly virus. Why on earth would anyone go to bat for a pathogen?

The Far Right Has Its Reasons

Conservatives have traditionally supported the powerful pillars of society: the police, the army, the state. Today’s far right is not conservative. It detests the state. It prefers vigilante justice—everyone standing their ground with gun in hand—to the police and the army, since these latter are representatives of the state.

Effectively, the far right embraces the old Hobbesian concept of a “war of all against all,” which was the status quo before the emergence of the state. To achieve this “golden age” of general mayhem, the far right pursues any means necessary. It supports home schooling to destroy public education, privatization of state assets to weaken the government, and deregulation to tilt the playing field in favor of corporations.

And now, in the age of COVID-19, the far right is even willing to support germ warfare. For that’s what the anti-mask and anti-vaccine ideology amounts to: siding with the novel coronavirus against the sensible policies of the state.

One wonders: if the state issued a mandate that required people not to jump off cliffs, would the far right suddenly launch a Lemming Crusade simply to spite the state?

I can well imagine the segment on Newsmax.

Reporter: I’m here with patriot James Q. Public. He and his family are standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Tell me, James, why are you about to take a big step into the unknown?

James Q. Public: The government can’t tell me what to do. I believe in choice. And this is my choice.

Reporter: Do you think of yourself as a pioneer?

James Q. Public: Absolutely. This socialist government with its Five Year Plans sickens me. I take it one day at a time. One minute at a time.

Reporter: Your youngest child doesn’t look happy about your choice.

James Q. Public: Oh, he’s just a crybaby. He’ll get used to it.

Reporter: Get used to falling off a cliff?

James Q. Public: What makes you think we’ll fall?

Reporter: Well, uh, gravity –

James Q. Public: Come on, man, you believe in all that nonsense those scientists are trying to force down our throats? Vaccines? Climate change? Gravity? Okay, everyone, let’s go. One small step for the Public family, one large step for arrgghhh….!

It would all be grimly amusing, like some pandemic version of the Darwin Awards, if the far right’s Lemming Crusade wasn’t threatening to drag the rest of us off the cliff with it."

 

~~~~~ 

 

 

Executions are zooming along, I'll be back with those stats. Okay so the question is, would we go to the Baja Beach Fest if Carlos Santana were playing?  Hell no, and  I adore him.  Truth is, Carlos Santana would never be stupid enough to appear at the Baja Beach Fest, he has too much character and sense, particularly during this horrible pandemic.

  And, neither would Mana.

Later dudes.

end edit.

~~~ 

 

Over and Out For Now ...watch out for those fake road blocks....

 

 

 

Cuidado en Rancho Grande, Bahia San Luis Gonzaga - Yikes ! Second Day of the Baja Beach Fest With Thousands Attending, And No One Is Wearing A Mask: A Veritable "Lemming Crusade" - "The DeltaVariant Of Global Stupidity" By John Feffert !

Although right now, the temperature is running 90 degrees with no shade, so I'm unsure how many folks would be off to camping on the beautiful Sea Of Cortez... but it didn't work out to good for these guys:

 ~ From Zeta: 

 

Hombres Armados Roban 2 Millones de Pesos de la Nomina en Un Empagne de Ojos Negros

Destacados  -  Marco A. Flores  - sábado, 14 agosto, 2021 10:22 AM

 

" ENSENADA.- Armed men stole approximately 2 million pesos from the Sonora Prime agricultural package in the town of Ojos Negros, Ensenada municipality; the money was from payroll to pay workers.

Authorities reported that the robbery occurred around 8:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, when two men arrived at the pumpkin packaging, threatened the employees and took the money.

The Municipal Public Security Directorate did not report detained persons.

THREE AMERICAN TRUCKS STOLE WITH VIOLENCE

Three American vehicles that were in Rancho Grande, San Luis Gonzaga , were violently stripped from their owners at gunpoint.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. it was reported that armed individuals threatened the foreigners and took away a 4Runner truck, a black Tacoma pickup and a black Tahoe pickup.

Unofficially, it is believed that the robbery occurred after the thieves placed a false checkpoint .

Another robbery with similar violence occurred in the early morning of this Saturday, August 14, around 2:00 a.m.

Six men with long weapons beat the driver of a 2020 GMC Sierra pickup, who was stripped of the unit.

Also this morning, at around 9:30 a.m., a gas station in the Aguajito neighborhood was violently robbed; an armed man stole 3,000 pesos."

 

 ~~~~~ 

So beware of false checkpoints I would say anywhere south of Puertecitos, right ? Or for that matter, false checkpoints anywhere.

Meanwhile, we are still trying to find out if our health insurance covers alternative cortisone injections, if not I'm stuck. Also I have to lower my A1c by half of a point before they can do the knee surgery. The refrigerator turned into a bit of a drama  but after living out of coolers filled with ice for several days all is now well. Horrible humid hot yesterday, today it was still warm but we had a slight breeze.

I'll be back, but to hold you over here are the AP Mexico headlines - note that Biden is sending millions more doses of vaccine to Mexico  which hasn't really been reported by the local press; Mex wanted 3.5 million doses and the US is sending them 8.5 million doses. And jeez how about that lunatic who killed his kids down here in Rosarito ? My question is....what about the wife? Was she going to be the next victim or was she part of it ?I don't think that Mexicans fully grasp the power, sway and dangers of the Q-Anon and other conspiracy elements in the USA, notably that includes the anti-vaxxers.

AP: MEXICO

~~~~~ 

Update/edit: Well this is going to make you sick...this is the second day of the so-called "Baja Beach Fest" in Rosarito with thousands in attendance and no one is even wearing a mask. Forget about the highway robbers over yonder, this is even more deadly. Yet, the people were basically given the go ahead by the Mayor of Rosarito and we were told that officials would shut the thing down if protocols were not observed...but they did  not shut it down. According to Zeta, the majority of people in attendance are gringos. Mama Mia, check out the pictures:

 ~ From Zeta:

Sin Respetar Medidas Sanitarias Segundo Dia Del Baja Beach Fest 

 Destacados  -  Víctor Delgado  - domingo, 15 agosto, 2021 12:54 PM

 
"Yesterday afternoon, authorities of the Playas de Rosarito city council declared to verify the areas where the sanitary protocols proposed by organizers and reviewed by the State Secretary of Health, were failing during the realization of the Latin music event Baja Beach Fest 2021 on the beaches of Rosarito, which, on its second day, again gathered a strong crowd, and thousands of attendees could be observed without complying with the order of the strict use of face masks.

 Despite the epidemiological yellow traffic light and with the increase in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant emerging throughout the country, they still have not withdrawn the endorsement for the cancellation of the urban sound event, which has brought together more than 19 thousand people in its second day under the presentation of the artists Anuel AA, Myke Towers, Mariah, Guaynaa, Lenny Tavarez, Farruko, and where it was verified through stories and images shared through social networks the null healthy distance and lack of use of face masks in the festival, specific points marked by the State Secretary of Health to carry out massive shows.

 In turn, the Secretary of Health of Baja California, Alonso Pérez Rico, in a morning conference on Saturday, pointed out a meeting with the Baja Beach Fest organizers and authorities to make a “team back” about what happened last Friday in the first day of the event and with areas where protocols were failing, in turn he stressed that if they followed the breach of sanitary regulations, they would choose to cancel said event.

“In Baja California we are going to protect the health of our citizens. If the protocols are not being followed, these events cannot take place. We are on trial. It is that simple, if the protocols of the Secretary of Health are not respected, the events cannot be carried out because we have to give priority to health before anything else, ”said Pérez Rico.

For his part, Marco Aurelio Gámez Servín, Coepris State Commissioner highlighted that revisions of the protocols would be carried out on the second day of the massive show, underlining that “as verifiers and with the powers granted to them by the General Health Law of the State , they would see that the protocols that the organizers presented to them to carry out Baja Beach Fest are fulfilled " 

Likewise, he pointed out that the call for attention to organizers would come if a large percentage of the attendees do not comply with the use of face masks, a situation that, from what is observed in different media and social networks, was not fulfilled. It is worth mentioning that Baja Beach Fest 2021 is an outdoor event with 90% of its attendees already vaccinated, however, the massive crowding without healthy distance and the lack of use of a mask by those present once the health filters and security have caused the urban spectacle to be strongly criticized and put before the national focus, despite re-incurring the practice of a “cultural issue”, as described by the mayor of Rosarito Aracely Brown, today the municipality is preparing for the third day with the arrival of the Colombian J. Balvin.

On the other hand, La Feria Rosarito 2021 was another event which once again failed to comply with the rules on sanitation and health protocols with thousands of people crowded under the stage where Enigma Norteño will be presented. Faced with his first offense last week, Pérez Rico announced to the organizers of the following events that they would have to resubmit their "no inconvenience" letter, however, yesterday these protocols were again incurred.

Internationally, another massive spectacle that is in the eye of the hurricane is the 2021 Lollapalooza Music Festival, in Chicago, which was attended by around 395 thousand people during the 4 days of the festival. After its completion, it was recently announced that 203 attendees confirmed to the authorities that they had tested positive for COVID-19. Given the fact and criticism of the show, health authorities mentioned that "There is no evidence that Lollapalooza was a" super contagious "event, said Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

For the moment, Baja Beach Fest 2021 continues with its activities this day while doubts remain whether or not it will take place in its second week, which is scheduled from August 20 to 22."

 

~~~~~

 

Well, we all know that the white eyes are simply not coming to Rosarito anymore, the goose who laid the golden egg are the Mexican-Americans, and even though they certainly don't tip as well, they are the last ones the authorities want to to insult.  The show must go on !

Which brings us to this report, borrowed from Juan Cole:

 ~ From Foreign Policy In Focus :

THE DELTA VARIANT OF GLOBAL STUPIDITY 

Why is the far right jumping on the anti-vaccination bandwagon?

By John Feffer | August 11, 2021 

 

"You’d think that the whole world could unite against a deadly virus. COVID-19 has already sickened over 200 million people around the world and killed over 4 million. It has now mutated into more contagious forms that threaten to plunge the globe into another spin cycle of lockdown.

Avoiding global catastrophe from the more infectious delta variant of COVID-19 doesn’t require a huge commitment from people and governments. Richer countries just have to ensure more widespread availability of vaccines. And individuals have to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 is not an asteroid on a collision course with the planet. It’s not an imminent nuclear war. It’s an invisible enemy that humanity has demonstrated it can beat. It just requires a bit of cooperation.

So, what’s the problem?

Actually, there are three problems. The first has to do with supply, since the richest nations have cornered the market on the vaccines and have been criminally slow to get them to poorer countries. On the entire continent of Africa, for instance, less than 2 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated.

The second problem, on the demand side, is the commonplace resistance to the newfangled, in this case a vaccine that was developed very quickly, hasn’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and has some side effects that are harmful for a very small number of people. Hesitation is understandable. But not when placed against the obvious lethality of COVID-19 and the clear benefits of herd immunity.

The third problem is political. The far right has jumped on the anti-vaccination bandwagon, seized control of the wheel, and is driving the vehicle, al-Qaeda-style, straight into oncoming traffic.

Both in the United States and globally, the far right has long been infected by various harmful delusions—the superiority of white people, the fiction of climate change, the evils of government. As the far right has spread, thanks to vectors like Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro and Viktor Orbán and Narendra Modi, those delusions have mutated.

Now, with its anti-vaccine opportunism, the far right is circulating a new delta variant of global stupidity: virally through social media, in a shower of spit and invective on the street, and through top-down lunacy from politicians and political parties. COVID-19 and all of its variants will eventually burn themselves out, though at who knows what cost. The latest versions of global stupidity promoted by the far right, however, are proving far more resistant to science, reason, and just plain common sense.

Hijacking the Anti-Vax Movement

The Brothers of Italy is a neo-fascist formation that is now polling the highest of any political party today in Italy. With 21 percent support, this pro-Mussolini throwback is just ahead of the far-right Lega party. Throw in Silvio Berlusconi’s Forward Italy party at 7 percent and the hard right looks as if it could form the next government in Italy whenever the next elections are held.

How did the Brothers of Italy grow in several months from a few percent to the leading party in the polls?

Led by Giorgia Meloni, a woman who predictably decries Islam and immigrants, the Brothers of Italy started out as a booster of vaccines, which seemed like a pretty safe position in a country that has suffered so much at the hands of COVID-19.

But Meloni abruptly shifted the party’s stance when the Italian government, currently led by technocrat Mario Draghi, introduced a “green pass” that allows the vaccinated to eat in restaurants, go to bars, and enter various public places like museums. Meloni called the pass “the final step on the road to the creation of an Orwellian society,” which “limits the freedom of citizens, further devastates the economy and de facto introduces a vaccine mandate.”

Limits the freedom of citizens? The freedom to infect other people with a deadly virus?

Effectively, Meloni wants to grant all citizens the same right that James Bond famously possessed: the license to kill.

Unfortunately, such nonsense has support outside Italy as well.

In France, the government of Emmanuel Macron has instituted a similar health pass as well as mandating that all medical professionals get vaccinated. The response has been ferocious, with several demonstrations of over 100,000 people mobilizing around the country.

It might seem at first glance that the French protestors are just ordinary folks who are sick and tired of government intrusions in their lives, similar to the Yellow Vest protestors from 2018. But the organizers of these anti-vax protests are the usual suspects from the far right like Florian Philippot, a former top aide of the National Rally’s Marine Le Pen. National Rally and the equally rabid Debout La France have come out against Macron’s policies. Unfortunately, some leading members of the left-wing France Unbowed party have also endorsed the rallies. As in the United States, French anti-vaxxers are resorting to anti-system conspiracy theories up to and including QAnon.

Despite the size of these rallies, whipped up by the far right, a majority of French support the health pass and nearly 70 percent of the population has gotten at least one shot (compared to only 58 percent in the United States). But the far right sees the anti-vaccine movement as an opportunity to worm its way into the mainstream in France and elsewhere, such as the Querdenken movement in Germany, the anti-Semitic far right in Poland, and evangelical Christian organizations in the Philippines.

Toward this end, the far right has eagerly employed the services of such “useful idiots” as Robert Kennedy, Jr., perhaps the most famous face of the anti-vaccine movement. The Polish far-right party Konfederacja invited Kennedy to speak on-line to a Polish parliamentary group on vaccines. Kennedy also put his social media power behind a global day against vaccines that took place last October in 15 countries from Europe to Latin America, which a number of far-right parties helped to organize.

Originally in the United States, vaccine skepticism circulated mainly on the left, where suspicions of chemicals and corporations created a resistance to having just any substance injected into one’s arm. But then along came Donald Trump, the dark conspiracy theories of the alt-right, and ultimately QAnon, which focused latent anti-government sentiments against the medical establishment and its COVID-19 vaccines. Suddenly, videos like Plandemic were zipping around cyberspace, and prominent anti-vaxxers like “healthy lifestyle advocate” Larry D. Cook fell under the sway of QAnon.

Today, in a tired repeat of 2020, U.S. anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers are again protesting in front of governors’ mansions, bringing their message to Disneyland, and shutting down school board meetings. If COVID-19 were a wealthy corporation that underwrote such disruptions, these actions would make at least some economic sense. If COVID-19 were a wildly popular musical group or a subversively attractive religious cult that governments were trying to suppress, the frenzy of crowds would be somewhat understandable.

But COVID-19 is a deadly virus. Why on earth would anyone go to bat for a pathogen?

The Far Right Has Its Reasons

Conservatives have traditionally supported the powerful pillars of society: the police, the army, the state. Today’s far right is not conservative. It detests the state. It prefers vigilante justice—everyone standing their ground with gun in hand—to the police and the army, since these latter are representatives of the state.

Effectively, the far right embraces the old Hobbesian concept of a “war of all against all,” which was the status quo before the emergence of the state. To achieve this “golden age” of general mayhem, the far right pursues any means necessary. It supports home schooling to destroy public education, privatization of state assets to weaken the government, and deregulation to tilt the playing field in favor of corporations.

And now, in the age of COVID-19, the far right is even willing to support germ warfare. For that’s what the anti-mask and anti-vaccine ideology amounts to: siding with the novel coronavirus against the sensible policies of the state.

One wonders: if the state issued a mandate that required people not to jump off cliffs, would the far right suddenly launch a Lemming Crusade simply to spite the state?

I can well imagine the segment on Newsmax.

Reporter: I’m here with patriot James Q. Public. He and his family are standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon. Tell me, James, why are you about to take a big step into the unknown?

James Q. Public: The government can’t tell me what to do. I believe in choice. And this is my choice.

Reporter: Do you think of yourself as a pioneer?

James Q. Public: Absolutely. This socialist government with its Five Year Plans sickens me. I take it one day at a time. One minute at a time.

Reporter: Your youngest child doesn’t look happy about your choice.

James Q. Public: Oh, he’s just a crybaby. He’ll get used to it.

Reporter: Get used to falling off a cliff?

James Q. Public: What makes you think we’ll fall?

Reporter: Well, uh, gravity –

James Q. Public: Come on, man, you believe in all that nonsense those scientists are trying to force down our throats? Vaccines? Climate change? Gravity? Okay, everyone, let’s go. One small step for the Public family, one large step for arrgghhh….!

It would all be grimly amusing, like some pandemic version of the Darwin Awards, if the far right’s Lemming Crusade wasn’t threatening to drag the rest of us off the cliff with it."

 

~~~~~ 

 

 

Executions are zooming along, I'll be back with those stats. Okay so the question is, would we go to the Baja Beach Fest if Carlos Santana were playing?  Hell no, and  I adore him.  Truth is, Carlos Santana would never be stupid enough to appear at the Baja Beach Fest, he has too much character and sense, particularly during this horrible pandemic.

  And, neither would Mana.

Later dudes.

end edit.

~~~ 

 

Over and Out For Now ...watch out for those fake road blocks....