Not planning to attack other countries cvining

“We are not planning to attack other countries,” he told a Turkish reporter. “We didn’t attack Ukraine, either.” 

Quote Author
Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister
Citation

repeating Russian claims that the country was forced to conduct a “special military operation” in Ukraine to assure its own security.

One Redwood

Submitted by ztadmin on

I think, too, that we’ve got to recognize that where the preservation of a natural resource like the redwoods is concerned, that there is a common sense limit. I mean, if you’ve looked at a hundred thousand acres or so of trees — you know, a tree is a tree, how many more do you need to look at?

Quote Author
Ronald Reagan
Citation

Candidate (not yet governor) Ronald Reagan, while speaking before the Western Wood Products Association in San Francisco on 12 March 1966. This is often misquoted as "If you've seen one Redwood you've seen them all"

Speaking of Redwoods

Submitted by ztadmin on

I saw them; there is nothing beautiful about them, just that they are a little higher than the others.

Quote Author
Ronald Reagan
Citation

Speaking of Redwoods on 15 March 1967

Gnosis for the day

Submitted by cvining on

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him get a vaccine or booster.

He who lives by denying science dies denying science.

There are no atheists in foxholes or deniers in hospitals.

He died doing what he loved: being an idiot.

I don't know why the "g" is silent in "gnostic" but not in "agnostic".
 
Commentary
Humor

A call for calm and mercy: no death penalty for the January 6 coup

Submitted by cvining on

I wish to join the call for calm. To those who feel insurrection is treason, punishable by death, I council calm and mercy. We are bigger than those insurgents of January 6, 2021 who sought to topple our government, our constitution, our core belief in rule by law.

Ten years in prison, as called for in the US code (below) for rebellion and insurrection. Fine them, bar them from ever holding office. The death penalty for treason? I understand, but in the name of calm and unity, let's be merciful. Throw them in prison and we'll move on.
 
Many other laws were broken too, but these are the ones that threaten the core of our nation. And I don't give a damn why they did it. When they stormed the Capitol, they threw any possible merit to their perceived grievances out the freaking window.
 
If you, dear reader, dear friend, disagree. If you feel any sympathy for the insurrectionists, I'll try to listen to you, hear you out, publicly or privately. Don't expect to change my mind, as I don't expect to change yours. But I will listen. Even as I cheer on efforts to hunt down and hold accountable every single  participant. 
 
 
For reference, here are selected Sections from the US Code 
Commentary
Politics
Antigonish

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today,
I wish, I wish he'd go away...

When I came home last night at three,
The man was waiting there for me
But when I looked around the hall,
I couldn't see him there at all!
Go away, go away, don't you come back any more!
Go away, go away, and please don't slam the door...

Last night I saw upon the stair,
A little man who wasn't there,
He wasn't there again today
Oh, how I wish he'd go away...

-- William Hughes Mearns 1899

cvining
Commentary
Humanities

Where were you when?

Submitted by cvining on

Where were you when the Nazis bombed Pearl?
Where were you when Ruby killed Jack?
Where were you when Bobby killed Martin?
Where were you when Glenn walked the moon?
Where were you when Columbia was challenged?
Where were you when Chad hanged Al?
Where were you when the CIA burned the twins?
Where were you when Donald pulled off his coup?

Commentary
Humor