You Go, Cory!

Cory Booker (D, N.J.), whom I already considered near-perfect, has been doing a nearly day long filibuster. He is one of few daring to confront the machinations and revenge of the current administration.

This is Why Musk Handed Out Millions in Green Bay

 "The last 3 presidential elections were decided in Wisconsin by less than one percentage point."
        Wisconsin's congressional maps favor Republicans. The election of a Republican Supreme Court Judge today will prevent any alteration of those maps, which means Republicans like Trump will likely remain in US power, irrevocably altering the well-being of those who cannot leave. At this point, it means more poverty, less diversity: essentially a USA of oligarchy and irrevocable climate degradation. 

      *NYT, Washington Post

Enchanted No More - Green Bay

Musk's million dollar checks bought votes again yesterday. This time in Green Bay for our Supreme Court race. Not long ago, Green Bay on Lake Michigan's shore, had little vegetarian shops and funky bookstores, a wildlife sanctuary, coffee houses where you could play your music or read your writing, and an art museum, and sometimes fry bread and dancing at a pow-wow at a nearby reservation. 

        I loved escaping there and often celebrated July 4th watching fireworks over the river. But now its another place where Elon Musk continues to help ruin this country. Like everything, Green Bay had already changed, becoming more superficial, expensive, touristy and far less interesting. It was always too much during Packer season, but now I wouldn't want to go there anytime.

Try This if You Struggle with Weight

A few years ago I suddenly started losing weight. The problem was I wasn't trying. But my weight was rapidly dropping off no matter how much I ate. And people were asking why I was so thin and if there was something wrong with me. That's when I realized it was the way I was eating.
       I had been including more olive oil and fewer carbs with my regular fruit and vegetables. And from 8pm until 8-10 am, I didn't eat anything, which wasn't hard for me as I don't like to eat at night. Although there had been three times in my life when I had reached the upper BMI for 5'5"-5'6", my weight had always been in BMI range. Now it was way below. So I started eating more bread, pasta, and rice and less fat. It has taken me two years to see my weight begin to increase.
      I think this way of eating could be a resource for others. It's cheaper, simpler, and maybe healthier than shots or drastic approaches. But you need to be patient as it takes a couple of months before your metabolism suddenly kicks in and your weight starts dropping. Oh, and like all things: you need to believe, which I know is not always easy.
     I need to mention that I don't eat meat or chicken although I do eat fish for the protein and omega 3 fatty acids. But meat eaters can still benefit from this routine. Also, I have a terrible ice cream habit which has been a problem since Covid, which I'm trying to curtail. Yet because ice cream is fat, and it's the low carb/high fat ratio that caused the weight loss, ice cream contributed. It's keto eating I'm describing: that and intermittent fasting. I suppose I need to mention to talk to your doctor although this is not supposed to be unhealthy. The only reason I started eating this way was to be healthier. I didn't realize it was a weight loss miracle others could try.

We Are Masterpieces in the Making

"We are all masterpieces in the making" 

                                -- Archbishop Desmond Tutu

 

Archbishop Tutu believed we become who we are meant to be. 

"Ubuntu" (the Credo - not the software) "Ubuntu" - we are diminished when we treat others as less than. (See my Posts: Nov 13 & 16, 2020 Remembering Archbishop Tutu & Picture of him dancing with The Dali Lama)                                                                       

  Archbishop Tutu: South African "Truth & Reconciliation Commission"

Air Traffic Control and Keeping Planes Aloft

This week Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary, argued that Musk's young DOGE techs keep telling him to fire air traffic controllers. Ironically, there has already been a shortage of air traffic controllers for years, and recently Musk has called for the return of those who retired, some of whom left at his behest. How confusing can this be?
     To maintain safety, airports also need additional technical staff. Yet transportation Secretary Duffy has already fired 400 FAA staffers, apparently at Musk's request: FAA radar, landing, and navigational aid maintenance. All of this is unresolved chaos at a time when we need order and experienced staff to try to keep planes in the air.

Boeing Whistleblowers' Sudden Deaths

Two Boeing whistleblowers suddenly died in 2024. The first death was extremely suspicious: a former Boeing employee who was found in his truck in a hotel parking lot after his 2nd day of testimony in his case alleging that Boeing was using defective parts to cut costs. The FAA had agreed to his allegations, and he had spent years preparing for this testimony and was to testify again the next day. 

        After all his efforts at trying to return Boeing to its previous high standards, the bullet wound that killed him was puzzlingly called "self-inflicted." The second whistleblower, claiming malfeasance and substandard engineering, also died suddenly. It is said he had been ill.

Turning in the Widening Gyre

While Musk's wrecking ball destroys the government, Trump has turned to other things like the "great TV" of joining his comrade Vance in publicly humiliating poor Zelensky. While Trump increasingly aligns with Putin, the US is without "leaders" who care about the lives they're ruining. Musk, who bought this election for Trump, is profiting from this debacle. I hate to draw parallels to 1930's Germany, but there are many. 

Fear of Flying

I took a fear of flying class after Boeing merged, relinquishing its impeccable singular identity. We flew to another State as our final exam. In those days, plane travel was still lovely. The seats were upholstered and cushiony, and leg room and aisles were spacious. No one was crowded on top of anyone else. Flight attendants wore beautiful outfits, and the food they brought was exquisite. 

    Still, I had become terrified of flying as a teenager. I could think of no way to get on a plane without drugs. And I didn't have drugs. This meant I wouldn't fly, couldn't fly without risking a full-fledged panic attack. What we learned in the class was that fear of flying was often related to childhood and control. And they gave us techniques to understand airplane flight and cope with fear. One technique is so simple yet we forget, especially when we're afraid - breathe.

    I once worked at Boeing in Seattle when its safety measures were still admirable. But that's another story.

"The only thing that can relieve suffering is joy.

Go inside and find the place where there is joy and the pain will go away." 

                                -- Joseph Campbell