#Save the Post Office Coalition

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

By Annie Norman

The public learned last fall of one particularly controversial element of United States Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan for the U.S. Postal Service that would be rolling out soon. Essentially, the function of sorting and delivering mail would be consolidated into regional centers, leaving empty former sorting space in the back of post offices. No layoffs were announced.

At first glance, this sounds innocuous, but seasoned postal observers suspect that with less activity happening at smaller or rural post offices, they become vulnerable to a reduction in hours or closure. This leads to the kind of job losses that initially present as don’t worry, we’ll relocate you to the regional center but are experienced by postal workers as if I don’t commute two hours there and back each day or more, I lose my job.

In response, The Save the Post Office Coalition, which I coordinate, wrote to the Secretary of the USPS Board of Governors to ensure the board was made aware of emails from 160,000 postal customers across the country urging them to stop the disastrous elements of DeJoy’s plan before it’s too late.

Among the several thousands of personalized messages, we highlighted a handful in our note:

“The USPS provides a service to the public. It was never intended to be a profit-making business. I’m disappointed & ashamed at where politics seem to be taking us.”

— David B. (veteran) Seattle, Washington.

“As a former United States Postal Service employee and as someone who regularly uses the [USPS], I ask you to do something about DeJoy, who continues to degrade everything about the postal service — especially the service part of it.”

— Kristin F. in Cottonwood, Indiana.

“It is important for seniors like me to be able to count on a dependable means of getting medications without having a further drain on our resources.”

— Peter L. in Los Angeles, California.

“I believe that a well supported and functioning post office is a hallmark of a healthy, advanced nation. Stop DeJoy’s undemocratic plan now before it’s too late.”

— Janet M. in Downers Grove, Illinois.

“We senior citizens depend on USPS. Please help keep it viable.”

—Joanne L. in Akron, Ohio.

“Our postal service should be about serving us rather than serving businesses that give it money.”

— Douglas L. in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

We have yet to hear a response or acknowledgement that the messages from the public were received, and DeJoy continues to make it clear that he doesn’t want anyone asking questions about his 10-year plan.

On the same day that USPS leadership received our coalition’s messages, the Postal Regulatory Commission issued a public inquiry order to DeJoy asking that USPS provide details on the sorting and delivery changes under his plan. In the order, the Commission said it “notes that stakeholders have expressed concerns regarding a lack of a forum to explore the impacts of these proposed changes.”

DeJoy responded with an objection to the Commission’s inquiry. On May 17, DeJoy delivered congressional testimony for the first time in nearly two years at a hearing of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations. Rep. Summer Lee asked him why USPS is objecting. In his response, DeJoy was openly hostile toward the postal regulator, accusing them of actively participating “in the destruction of [USPS].”

Just last month, DeJoy sat down with the press for a 90-minute interview where he once again doubled down with an adversarial attitude toward postal regulators who seek details for the public on his 10-year plan, calling the Commission’s inquiry “nonsense,” saying, “We don’t need to be babysat.”

On May 22, DeJoy delivered the keynote address at the 2023 National Postal Forum where he spoke at length touting his efforts to implement “dramatic changes” and increase the pace of his 10-year plan. The postmaster general told the audience that “dramatic changes must be done at a pace, and with a tenacity that is rarely seen.” However, these changes are a mystery to many, and for a public institution, this mystery is dangerous.

If the past is any guide, the effects of potential post office closings and reduced hours will be devastating, particularly to rural and Indigenous communities. The Save the Post Office Coalition organized a petition to the Postal Regulatory Commission and the USPS Office of Inspector General urging them to stop DeJoy’s “dramatic changes” and demand public input, and so far has received over 131,000 signatures from the public who regularly use the postal service.

The bottom line is that the public has a right to more transparency and input in the decision-making process at a public institution. This requires engagement with said public — which DeJoy is actively resisting. When you put a rich, white, private-sector executive who isn’t used to public accountability and cooperation in charge of a treasured public institution, such a clash might be inevitable. It’s plain DeJoy doesn’t have the temperament for public service.

Communities across the nation want dramatic change at the post office too, but that dramatic change is not to be secretive or a surprise; it must be a shift toward protecting and expanding the public footprint and services available at the post office to meet new needs and change with the times. The People’s Postal Agenda outlines a framework for an expanded USPS that includes things like postal banking, expanded nonbank financial services like bill payment and ATMs, WiFi in parking lots, and public electric vehicle charging.

We still remember former President Donald Trump’s plan to privatize the post office, right before he put his thumb on the scale to have his donor DeJoy appointed as postmaster general. We also remember DeJoy’s role in sowing public fear and uncertainty in the vote-by-mail process by slowing down the mail and then sending out mailers to voters that meeting their state’s deadline would not ensure their vote would arrive in time to be counted, causing him to be sued by the NAACP and Public Citizen, as well as secretaries of state.

There is nothing to suggest that DeJoy has abandoned the privatization vision of the people who got him the job. So it’s our job as citizens to make absolutely sure any upcoming “dramatic changes” to the post office don’t shrink and privatize the institution but protect and expand it for generations to come.

#us politics #news #truthout #2023 #republicans #donald trump #conservatives #louis dejoy #Annie Norman #op eds #united states postal service #Save the Post Office Coalition #USPS Board of Governors #Postal Regulatory Commission #House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations #us house of representatives #Rep. Summer Lee #2023 National Postal Forum #People’s Postal Agenda #vote by mail #mail in ballots #mail in voting

[decolonize-the-left]

The tree cutting has started

How to help:

Support the work of the Forest Justice Defense Fund a broad coalition dedicated to saving the Atlanta Forest by donating here

The Atlanta Solidarity Fund bails out activists who are arrested for participating in social justice movements, and helps them get access to lawyers. Donate here

You can donate to the lawsuit challenging the Dekalb County movie studio land swap here

Call Brasfield & Gorrie (678.581.6400), the Atlanta Police Foundation (770.354.3392), and the City of Atlanta (404.330.6100) and ask them to cancel the project and to remain peaceful with tree-sitters and other on-the-ground protesters

You can organize protests, send phone calls or emails, or help with direct actions of different kinds to encourage contractors of the various projects to stop the destruction. You can find some of the contractors here: stopreevesyoung.com

You can form an Action Group in your community, neighborhood, town, city, college, or scene. Together, you can host information nights, movie screenings, potluck dinners, and protests at the offices of contractors, at the homes of the board members, on campus, or elsewhere. You can post and pass out fliers at public places and shows, knock on doors to talk to neighbors and sign them up for text alerts, fundraisers, or actions, or you can innovate new activities altogether.

If you want to protest like the French NOW is the time to show that you will support and protect people on the Frontline!!

These protesters are protecting ALL of us after all! Cop city will be a training ground for police across the USA.

Let's show them our gratitude and give them that spark of morale that solidarity and support brings.

#cop city #defend weelaunee #Atlanta forest #atlanta #acab #police brutality #leftist #anarchist #communist #climate change #global warming #mutual aid #direct action #lgbt #capitalism #biden #indigenous #native #forest defenders #forest defense #ecopunk #ecosystems #eco friendly #eco warriors #bail fund #solidarity #legal fund #stop cop city #liberal #blm

[mariacallous]

Here in D.C., all eyes are on the speakership drama in the House of Representatives. Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) antagonists on the far right of the House Republican conference have threatened to depose McCarthy as speaker, a position McCarthy won in January 2023 – but only after breaking the post-Civil War record for the most ballots needed (15) to get the job.

McCarthy has made some concessions to his GOP opponents. For instance, he agreed to their demand that the House restore a longstanding rule that allows any member to go to the House floor with a resolution declaring the speakership vacant and demand that their colleagues vote on it. Some argue the rule is a sword of Damocles hanging over the speaker. That’s why many think McCarthy has been relentlessly trying to cater to his far-right flank – even though their proposals haven’t passed the GOP-led House and would be dead on arrival in the Democratic-led Senate.

The far right flank has voted against considering even those measures that have been packed with their own priorities. At the same time, a bipartisan group is pressuring McCarthy to lean on Democratic votes to pass a stopgap bill that would avoid a government shutdown after September 30th. Maybe that’s what McCarthy’s GOP antagonists are gunning for: Give McCarthy no other option, so that if he wants to avoid a government shutdown he must make a deal with Democrats – and then force a vote that would depose him.  

But is the threat to vacate the speakership credible? Could McCarthy’s opponents attract enough support to boot him from the speaker position? I’m not so sure. The rules of the game matter here. And even some House members might not know all the relevant rules. But you’re in good hands here.

How the rule works

Under House rules and precedents, any member of the chamber can introduce a resolution to declare the Office of the Speaker vacant. Here’s one then-Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) introduced in 2015 to pressure Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to heed policy demands from the Freedom Caucus. And here’s a draft resolution from Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), found by a reporter in a Capitol bathroom. (Can’t make this stuff up!)

Most important, any member introducing such a resolution can go to the House floor and be recognized to announce their intent to offer the resolution as a matter of “constitutional privilege.”  

Such questions of privilege have precedence over all other motions – save one. The Speaker is allowed to move to delay consideration of the resolution for up to two legislative days. At that point, defenders of the Speaker might try to dodge a vote with a motion to table (a.k.a. kill) the resolution. If that fails, the Speaker’s supporters would need to vote to directly defeat the resolution. Some minority party members might even vote against removing McCarthy: The devil you know might be better than the one you don’t. 

It’s never succeeded

The House has never acted to remove its speaker. True, speakers have come under pressure to resign – as Boehner did in 2015 after Meadows introduced a resolution to declare the speakership empty. (Note though that Meadows failed to offer the measure as a privileged resolution on the House floor, forfeiting the opportunity to pursue a swift floor vote.)

In fact, the House has voted just once on a resolution to declare the speakership vacant. And it failed.

The year was 1910. After years of rising anger about Speaker Joseph Cannon’s (R-Ill.) tight-fisted control of the House agenda and exclusion of Progressive GOP priorities, a bipartisan coalition voted to oust the speaker from the chamber’s pivotal Rules Committee and to expand its membership. Shorn of his prized spot on the committee that structures the chamber’s agenda, Cannon faced his opponents on the floor and called on them to try to remove him, saying, “show the courage of [your] convictions, and submit the motion vacating the Speakership.” 

Cannon prevailed, 155-191, slightly fracturing his own party. Still, Democrats viewed their foe – known as Czar Cannon for his iron-fisted rule – as their best asset in the fall campaign to win back control of the House. They were correct.

What if this time is different?

If McCarthy’s opponents succeed, many suggest chaos will consume the House, with multiple ballots again needed to seat a speaker. But the rules would be slightly different this time around.

When a new Congress meets for the very first time, it can do no business except to elect its speaker or to adjourn. It can’t even swear in its members. Only after the House elects a speaker can the chamber adopt rules to govern its proceedings. That added to the uncertainty of the current Congress’s opening days, as McCarthy struggled through that record number of ballots to secure the job. But once in place, House rules remain for the rest of a Congress, unless the House votes to change them. So if McCarthy were to be deposed mid-Congress, the House could continue its business even before electing a new speaker. 

How, you might ask? Enter the secret list. Let’s call it the list of speakers-in-waiting. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the House revamped its rules – anticipating a scenario in which a speaker might be unable to perform their duties (whether due to an incapacitating illness, death, or a successful motion to depose them). In the case of a vacancy, the rule now requires the speaker to deliver to the Clerk of the House an ordered list of House members who will act as the “speaker pro tempore” until the election of a speaker or another speaker pro tempore. Importantly, although the rule has never been tested, an acting speaker appears to exercise all the authority of a real speaker – perhaps dampening the incentive to elect a permanent one. 

Who’s first on the secret list?

That’s the thing. We don’t know. But it could matter for the timing and outcome of a vote to elect a new speaker should McCarthy be deposed.

For starters, an acting speaker might reduce the chances for chaos – limiting pressure to swiftly elect a new one. True, the rule intends the acting speaker to serve only until a new speaker (or another speaker pro tempore) is elected. But depending on whom McCarthy put atop his list, the acting speaker might be acceptable enough to most Republicans to take the urgency out of an immediate vote. That might be the case if McCarthy picked one of his trusted and well-liked allies, such as Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) or Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). Even Democrats might be (secretly) content with the choice.

What if McCarthy put Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) first on the list – perhaps a reward for her loyalty in his contest for the speakership? Point is, we don’t know how lawmakers will react. But the identity of the acting speaker could hasten agreement on a replacement speaker. 

But can any Republican other than McCarthy secure the votes required to be elected speaker? If not, the right of any lawmaker to seek removal of the speaker might not be much of a threat to McCarthy. In other words, the rule might not prove to be a sword of Damocles that threatens McCarthy’s hold on power. If that’s the case, we’ll likely never know who tops McCarthy’s list.

[reddancer1]

The one year term extension of Trump appointees Donald Moak and William Zollars came to an end on December 8th. It’s essential that President Biden appoint strong, diverse, and reform-oriented candidates to replace them.

The Save the Post Office Coalition has called on President Biden to nominate former Representative Brenda Lawrence and policy expert Sarah Anderson to the USPS Board of Governors. These are two public servants who will bring critical perspectives and expertise to the USPS Board of Governors –- exactly when the postal service needs it the most.

Rep. Brenda Lawrence worked as a USPS employee for 30 years before she served in Congress, representing southeast Michigan, including parts of Detroit. As a member of Congress, she valiantly defended the postal service against privatization attempts, and was the only member of Congress who was a member of the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Sarah Anderson is a policy expert who has written extensively on USPS and economic and financial issues, comes from a family of letter carriers.

We deserve a strong, diverse, and reform-oriented Board of Governors to hold the Postmaster General to the true mission and public service goals of the USPS.

We also need leadership with enthusiasm towards building the Postal Service of the future, who will think creatively about opportunities to expand services that will bring in new revenue like postal banking and other products, instead of narrowly focusing on service cuts and price hikes.

Tell Biden to nominate Rep. Brenda Lawrence and Sarah Anderson to the USPS Board of Governors today by adding your name now.

GET RID OF LOUIS DEJOY!!!! HE'S DESTROYING THE USPS!!!

[theredhavendelegate]

Iss. 7:

A New Order In Redhaven?

Gerhardt Square awoke to much pomp and solemnity on Sunday morning as Desdemona Carmine, Redhaven’s duly elected Mayor, came by with a formal announcement. Her office, Lord Redhaven’s estate, and occupying forces from The Frontline Confederation have reached a power sharing agreement.

The following conditions are now in effect: Though Redhaven retains its police precinct, The Frontline Coalition will be forming its own law enforcement body which supersedes local authorities. City administration is now a joint effort between the mayoral office clerks and separatist quartermasters, who will set and collect taxes together. Lastly, a curfew of 9pm is in effect now and for the foreseeable future throughout the city.

This change in authority, though not the first in Redhaven’s history, has not gone unchallenged. Isaac Kells, the voice of the political action organization known as The Blue Coalition, has raised concerns about the present and future state of Redhaven in an exclusive interview with The Redhaven Delegate. Though his associates have chosen to remain anonymous, he has come forward with a series of scathing indictments…

A woman with freckled skin, black hair tied back in a bun, and rough hands waits on a street corner. She glances at a pocket watch. The hands tick around the face, the short one pointing to twelve and the medium one to three while the longest moves faster than is worth checking. She stows the device and huffs. Another minute passes and she places a hand on her pocket, squeezing the fabric around the watch impatiently.

Before she can withdraw it, a man rounds the corner and waves. He has caramel skin and dark brown eyes, and he smiles sheepishly as he draws near.

The woman raises a brow and waits. The man shrugs and says, “Sorry Alessa, I had to reroute for more new demolition.”

The woman rolls her eyes. “So says you. I don’t think you should even be out here, Isaac. Do you really think its smart?”

The man pauses for a moment, and then nods. “I do. We don’t have many resources to allocate so I have to make sure they’re being spent wisely. Anyway, I have to be out here. Who wants to fight for someone who isn’t willing to fight for them as well?”

Alessa offers a wry smile. “All those saps with the orange patches seem perfectly fine dying for their betters.”

“Well maybe, given enough time, we can change their minds.” Isaac speaks confidently but Alessa only purses her lips.

Another woman walks down the street dressed from head to toe in green robes. Her demeanor is chilled and her brow is furrowed. She nods wordlessly to Alessa and Isaac as she walks by, and then she turns to enter the wooden double doors of the temple nearby.

As the doors slam shut, Alessa whispers, “They conscripted the orphans. They’re using them for message runners mostly.”

Isaac chews on the thought, then he whispers back, “It takes a lot to bring up children. The separatists will either realize that or pay for it.”

Alessa shakes her head. “Who’s going to make them pay for it?”

“Probably the kids,” Isaac answers quickly. “Let’s get moving.”

The two begin to stroll down the road. The streets here are whole, unbroken by The Great Transit, though the lack of recent upkeep is obvious between the building piles of trash and loose cobbles. The doors are locked and the windows are shuttered save for that of the post office, the door of which bears an orange flag alongside the Redhaven feather.

The street widens out into an open-air market. The stalls are empty, as are the aisles between them, but a few shops remain open on the edge of the square in the permanent buildings. Business is steady there, customers roaming quietly, purposefully between them and then back out of the square again.

Isaac takes a seat on a bench and watches for about half-an-hour. Alessa remains standing by a lamp post, glancing down the adjoining roads, into the windows of nearby structures, and at the rooftops that overlook the space. One of her hands hangs from her messenger bag by its thumb the whole time.

There is a commotion, the sound of shouting from the other side of the square, and Isaac starts off towards it. Alessa falls in behind him and releases her bag.

The two draw near to a butcher’s shop where a middle-aged man in an apron is waving a meat cleaver wildly in the direction of a smaller man in a vest. The two don’t notice their audience.

Alessa leans over to Isaac and whispers, “Tax collector.” Isaac nods.

The butcher shouts, “I shouldn’t have to pay! What about the meat shortage and The Transit and what’s money even worth now, what with everything that’s happened?”

Isaac will comment, “The butcher’s right.”

“The butcher is swinging a knife at a tax collector,” Alessa ripostes.

Isaac waits for a moment longer, takes a breath, then walks up to the storefront with Alessa in tow. The butcher doesn’t acknowledge him but the tax man turns.

“Sorry sir,” Isaac says, halting the argument. “I know him, he’s good for his taxes and his permits and all that. Just swing by tomorrow and it’ll be sorted out.”

The butcher seems suspicious, but he is unwilling to contest the sheer confidence with which Isaac speaks. The official raises a brow then looks to the butcher, who mutters, “Uh, yeah. Won’t be any trouble, we’re old pals.”

The tax collector waits another moment, glances between Isaac, Alessa, and the butcher’s now slack-held cleaver, and then nods. “Alright, one more day can’t hurt. Be well then, I’ll see you in the morning Mister Flanagan.”

He takes his leave.

There is a moment’s pause, then the butcher sighs. “Alright, what’s the scam? I know you’re with the Blues, so what do you want from me?”

Isaac shrugs and says, simply, “We want to help.”

Before the butcher can ask another question, Alessa interjects, “How much do you owe?”

He pouts and leans back. Alessa glares at him and he crumples. Isaac puts a hand on her shoulder and offers a sympathetic frown, and she finds something else to glare at.

The butcher softens and mumbles, “A hundred and twenty dollars, after the fees. That’s enough to put me out for good.”

Isaac nods his understanding, though Alessa remains alert. The former says, “Okay, that’s not too bad. We can cover it for you. There’s just one condition.”

The butcher seems doubtful and a prideful shine reappears in his eye, but he still nods for Isaac to continue.

He does. “There’s a building on lower street, number fourteen. Swing by there tonight and ask them about business management. We’ve got an accountant who should be able to get you back on track and, if you hear him out, we’ll pay off your current debts in full.”

“That’s it? What if I don’t?” the butcher responds, chin raised.

Alessa offers a soft smile. “Then the tax man will come back, probably with a pair of soldiers in tow. Instead of paying your debts, you’ll get a black eye. Maybe worse.”

The butcher holds Alessa’s gaze. Isaac waits.

The butcher nods. “Sure. I’ll think about it.”

Isaac smiles and pats Alessa on the back. “Let’s get going then. No point hanging around longer than we need to.” He waves at the butcher and starts away. Alessa follows, though her guard doesn’t drop until they’re down the street and around a corner.

Continuing down the road at a cantor, Alessa grumbles, “Business management? Accountants? I can’t believe our little underground movement is busy teaching old men how to fill out their check books while The Confederates are cracking down on innocent people.”

Isaac keeps his eyes forward and responds, “It keeps the community healthy. I’d rather shoot the tax man too, but I think we both know where that leads.”

Alessa retorts, “And what if he just ignores the advice?”

Isaac shrugs. “Then he can keep the money. It’s just taking up valuable warehouse space until it’s spent. Plus, you saw our track record: every business we’ve advised is doing well and every business that snubbed us is either closed down or floundering. What is the city doing to help these people. What are the occupiers doing?”

The conversation dies down and the next few minutes are spent in silence.

The pair emerge from an alley into a courtyard, and the faded stone of Redhaven is replaced by greenery and trellis fencing. The courtyard contains a well tended garden and is surrounded by red brick walls, clean and bright. A few others move about the space and wave Isaac and Alessa on in. Isaac remarks, “Prettiest place in Redhaven, and all it took was a little work.” He stops by a planter with strawberries growing in it and picks one. “This is what we’re working for Alessa. This is why the guns are only for self defense.”

He tosses the fruit to her and she catches it. “Strawberries? We’re fighting for that?”

Isaac is already heading up towards a door. “Gardens, growth, safe places, and yes, strawberries.”

Isaac carries on inside and Alessa follows him. The two work their way up a narrow stairwell and then into an office, one with a view to the outskirts of Redhaven and the lilac fog beyond beyond the countryside.

The space is gloomy compared to the outside until Isaac pulls the curtains the rest of the way open. pale, colorless light washes over the room as Alessa sits down on a creaking armchair.

Isaac pulls a bottle of brandy out from beneath the room’s desk along with a pair of tulip glasses. Alessa shakes her head and he returns one of them, then fills the other about a third of the way.

At last, he sits behind the desk, takes a sip from his glass, and asks, “So, what am I missing.”

Alessa takes the messenger bag off of her shoulder and places it on the floor, then steeples her fingers. “Not much, honestly. The money goes in and out below budget, recruitment is going well amongst the first responders and the laborers, and your…gentle…approach seems to be keeping the authorities off our backs. If this were a normal city back in Eudax, whether it belonged to The Confederation or The Covenant, I’d say that things couldn’t be better.”

“But it’s not a normal city,” Isaac responds dryly.

Alessa nods. “You got my report about the tunnels, and I’m not the only person who’s found one. There are more monsters coming out of the fog as well and nobody is actually trying to stop them except for the farmers.”

Isaac takes another sip from his glass and thinks for a moment. He looks wistfully towards the window. “We’ll get guns to them then, hunting rifles and coach guns.”

Alessa clears her throat. “Yeah, yeah, that’s fine, but that’s not why I’m worried. I’m worried because none of my contacts know why they aren’t trying to stop the monsters. No soldiers to guard the farms, no patrols around the countryside, no watchtowers on the edge of town. That’s suspicious.”

Isaac finishes his drink and shrugs. “Suspicious activity is your area of expertise. What do you think is going on here?”

“I think they’re waiting to see how dangerous these things are, waiting to see if they can be harnessed. Doesn’t matter to them if a few farmers get killed, it’s valuable research. Neither side held back in the civil war on account of their morals, I don’t see why they’d start now.”

Alessa leans back in her seat and waits for a response. Isaac taps the bottle of brandy and raises an eyebrow, and this time she nods. He pours her a drink and walks it over to her. She drains the glass and hands it back before he can turn, not frantically but with a sort of practiced motion.

Isaac retakes his seat. “The work never ends,” he says, more considering the words than declaring them.

Alessa frowns. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Isaac doesn’t answer aloud, but a small smile awakens on his face and his eyes gleam softly in the pale light.

---

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#trd #the redhaven delegate #writing #writblr #unreality #drama #series #short story #TRD: Isaac Kells #TRD: Alessa Moore

[starlightvld]

Fan Fiction Master Post

Fandom - Voltron: Legendary Defender

Relationship - Sheith (Shiro x Keith)

In Sunshine and in Shadow Post-canon fix-it * Rated M * 155k words * COMPLETE After ten years of distance, a chance encounter brings Shiro, Keith, and the other paladins together in another fight to save the universe.

Truth Beyond Reckoning Post-canon fix-it (ISAIS stand-alone interlude) * Rated E * 3.6k words * COMPLETE After twelve years of illness, heartache, and missed chances, Keith and Shiro finally find their way back to one another.

Formalities Post-canon fix-it * Rated T * 17.7k words * COMPLETE At the Coalition's two-year anniversary formal gala, Lance gets ideas, Keith gets a new outfit, and Shiro gets jealous enough to break a few of his self-imposed rules.

Second Luckiest Established Relationship * Rated G * 524 words * COMPLETE A soft and short fic in which Keith and Shiro take care of each other.

Research & Development Modern(ish) AU * Rated E * 57.7k words * COMPLETE When Voltron Tech CEO Shiro hires Marmora Construction to build their new research and development building, he doesn't realize how much his life is about to change... until Keith walks through the door. 

Trading Pain for Panacea Post canon, no epilogue * Rated T * 3.7k words * COMPLETE Shiro gets sick, muses over his relationship with pain, and comes to some realizations. As always, Keith is there to take care of him.

Trading Loneliness for Love Post canon, no epilogue * Rated T * 6.9k words * COMPLETE Keith is pulled through a wormhole to who-knows-where. As he drifts through space alone, he muses over his relationship with loneliness while waiting for his friends to come to the rescue.

My Love is Like an Apple Pie University Staff AU * Rated T * 27,056k words * COMPLETE Keith and Shiro are living good lives with good jobs and friends, but maybe a little romance will make things even better. A fun and fluffy fall fic.

The Fire Between Falling Stars King & Knight AU * Rated E * IN PROGRESS For seven years, Keith has quietly served and protected King Takashi Shirogane of Stellan from afar, but when Keith's friends disappear, he is forced out of the shadows. As Keith's investigations lead him toward the truth - and the disaster to come - he will be forced to decide: Protect his secrets. Or protect his king.

Fandom - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (reboot)

Relationship: John "Soap" MacTavish/Simon "Ghost" Riley (alternately: soapghost, ghostsoap, ghoap)

Couch Surfing Post-canon, not MWIII compliant * Rated E * 52,971 * COMPLETE When military politics threaten to break up the 141, Simon and Johnny must decide to hold on to what they already have... or risk losing it all for the possibility of *more.*

Broken Bones and Shattered Hearts Post-canon, not MWIII compliant * Rated E * IN PROGRESS Fic/Art collaboration with @kibagib After Johnny's career-ending mission against Makarov, Simon left and broke Johnny's heart. When they're thrown together three years later at Gaz's wedding, it sets off a chain of events that will change both their lives forever. For better or worse.

Up in Smoke MW II, pre MWIII * Rated T * 1,774 * COMPLETE A 5+1 style, hurt/comfort, getting together fic with a healthy helping of humor in which Ghost annoys Johnny by stealing his cigarettes. He's got his reasons.

You're my mask, you're my cover, my shelter Punisher AU * Rated E * IN PROGRESS (chapter 1 posted) Fic/Art collaboration with @kibagib When MI5 officer MacTavish tentatively partners with the vigilante Ghost, they uncover a vast web of betrayal. Learning to trust each other might be the only way to bring down the enemy. Learning to love each other might be the only way to stay alive.

#Sheith #shiro x keith #soapghost #soap x ghost #keith kogane #takashi shirogane #john soap mactavish #simon ghost riley #vld #Voltron #Call of Duty #cod mwii #fan fiction #my fic writing #og starlight

[these-are-more-voyages]

“alright. you have five minutes to say what you need to say.”

the Captain’s sudden statement took the bridge crew by surprise. not that they hadn’t established a pattern of inviting openness and consensus in the past, but because the bridge had been unusally silent save for the usual processing sounds of the consoles that filled the bridge.

but then again, today was an unusual day.

Captain Wexx knew this. They didn’t have to use their Betazoid senses to sense the mix of uncertainty, anxiety, and barely restrained animosity at the big change that was a transport, a corridor walk, and a turbolift ride away.

“come on. out with it. before i start perusing your thoughts myself.” Wexx said with a slight smile as the silence continued.

after a few more beats. Lieutenant Commander V’kel spoke up from the Science station to the right of the Captain, “Perhaps it is only logical to allow the crew to process their emotions privately since any publicly stated misgivings could make their way to our new officer.”

to her left at Tactical, Lieutenant jg Sandra Harrison snorted and said, “Easy for you to say. You won’t be his subordinate.”

V’Kel cocked her eyebrow and said, “The chain of command still applies despite the emotions of the crew. It is up to you to govern your emotions on your own.”

sensing a potential conflict stirring, and also wanting to get Harrison out from the scrutiny of the Vulcan thought processes, Commander Rej Vylwin spoke up from the back of the bridge and said, “While it is true that the chain of command doesn’t change with the inclusion of a new officer. This isn’t a typical new posting. many people grew up with tales of the war and the time it took for Starfleet to rebuild again while dealing with so many other crises.”

Wexx nodded their head and said, “i was a cadet at the time. we lost half of my class when we were rushed into active duty. Rej and V’kel, you were just a few years after me. that was a difficult time for starfleet because that war wasn’t all that was going on.”

V’kel nodded and said, “indeed. the sequence of galactic events during that time was unprecedented. but our new officer is also unprecedented. we must allow this change to transpire as smoothly as possibly to ensure the peace and the healing continues.”

Commander Rej looked towards the front Conn and Operations stations and the officers who had thus far been silent. “Lieutenant Level? Lieutenant Commander Dzirz?”

Drirz, the Xindi-Insectoid at OPS started to speak, his chirps captured and translated by the personalized Universal Translation device attached to the other side of his uniform collar, “the Xindi are a people of history. in some ways, we are all here today because of the foolishness of my ancestors and their misguided quest to eradicate Earth. the Federation may have arose naturally by other means, my people’s attempt to destroy earth accelerated the interconnection between the first species that formed the earliest Coalition between worlds in your region of space.”

Harrison crossed her arms and said, “Very poetic. But that was hundreds of years ago. There’s been time enough for those wounds to heal. And time for the multiple species of the Xindi to prove their fidelity to the Federation, and their commitment to galactic peace. i doubt that any of the Xindi could have joined the fledgling Starfleet anytime close to the probe attack on Florida.”

Drirz look downward and replied, “That is a fair point. It wasn’t for a long time that we could approach Starfleet. And that time included much internal work to heal the schism amongst my people.”

Commander Rej stepped from the back of the bridge and sat is his chair next to the Captain, “Look, nobody said this would be easy. Try living at the mouth of the Celestial— i mean, the wormhole. It was the war that shifted me from the Bajoran Militia to Starfleet. I couldn’t just stay on ground security when people were dying among distant stars to save my home. Kosst, ALL our homes.”

a soft chuckle came from the helm and from the last person who had yet to speak up. and although her emotions were as clear as glass to Captain Wexx, they knew that Lieutenant Level would speak about this when she was ready.

“Speaking as another member of the “former enemy of the Federation” club, i wonder why you’ve allowed people like me to be comfortable.”

there was a moment of silence after Level had finally spoken that was full of solemnity and uncertainty. she continued, “My leaders were a part of the problem. Dukat. Damar. the warlords of Legates that sat in high places. and then they led us right to our doom. millions dead on that final day of the War. including my mom, who died giving birth to me because the Lekarian City medical center had been incinerated with the rest of the city. by—“

her soft spoken words were interrupted by an alert from the OPS console. Drirz swiveled around and silenced the alert as he said, “transport has just happened. he’s here.”

a wave of apprehension swept over the room. everyone seemed to turn and return to their work. looking over at Rej, who merely shrugged, Wexx finally tried to find the words to resolve the uneasy conversation that had just happened.

Finally, they said, “Service to Starfleet is a gift; one that many of us have freely accepted. But it is not safe. Nor is it easy. It is a commitment to the highest ideals and aspirations of all of our species. Whether we are Betazoid. Bajoran. Vulcan. Human. Xindi. Cardassian. Or whichever new civilization takes its first steps towards shared exploration. Even when that civilization was once our sworn enemy.”

Wexx felt the emotions in the room begin to calm as they continued, “This is the U.S.S. Waymaker. A Pathfinder-Class Exploratory ship. And we are moments away from having to live up to our name. When those doors open and our new Tactical and Security Officer steps onto the bridge, we will all have to make a way through whatever we might be feeling. Our duty to each other, ourselves, and to him, is to find a path forward. Together. Because we are Starfleet. We work for the brightest outcomes as we make our way through this universe.”

As if on cue, the turbolift doors opened, and a pair of heavy footfalls sounded as the new officer stepped onto the bridge.

although the intensity of the moment was almost overwhelming for the Betazoid, but Wexx focused all of their attention on this new crewmember and said, “Welcome to the bridge, Lieutenant.”

The Jem’Hadar Lieutenant stood at attention and said, “Lieutenant Ixat’ikan reporting as ordered…

…Service is life.”

#star trek #deep space nine #star trek discovery #star trek picard #starfleet

[renjamming]

Id love to hear about your ocs they look sooo cool

I WAS GONNA DRAW SOMETHIN but I’ve got a cold and all my energy is sapped so I shall just type hi!!

My ocs r in a universe of my own making basically where like instead of countries it’s territory wars between gods of different forms of architecture, tho there are 3 city behemoths (the gods (they’re not really gods kinda gods idk lol)) specifically of varying architecture styles however forming a semi-coalition but still drawing broad lines between each other yada yada most of my mortal ocs are from the brutalist part of The City and those include: Phares, Gnulray, Inessa, Cassielle, and Murmur. Tho my blonde guy that has the teal and yellow cape is named Cables and he lives in Whitering where the behemoths don’t really cross. Whitering is its own can of worms. Uhmm from the gothic region theres Bancroft, Sloan and Ichabod theyre pretty much a weird ragtag awkward family reunion energy. I have a toyhouse but it’s incomplete and disorganized and I plan on starting a new oc side project too ehe. Basically here’s a rundown of each character (they’re all 30+ btw. Unless I’m missing someone idk) also idk how this is gonna look when I post it the format is weird on mobile

Phares: purple suit + green hair, cool calm and collected but not very empathetic worst advice giver unless it’s advice for a test (if xe had the heart to give u the answers) (she/xe)

Inessa: short curly purple hair + gray and gold suit, workaholic strategist from a rich family who’s really sporadic idk she’s like midlife crises mom office job (she/her)

Gnulray: masked with bug like features + green red and gray, actually very little info on him bc he disappeared off the face of the earth in canon (thon/he)

Cassielle: blues and golds + real dark green almost black hair, overcompensater of the year award goes toooo Cassielle, overbearing and hyperorganized she’s the only cisgender (she/her)

Murmur: shrouded face + very much not human, you’ll kinda know when u see him he’s very exciteable and would frolic if he knew what that word was (he/him)

Cables: blonde with yellow and teal tones, human ur classic 50 year old burden of saving people guy he started as a writing project for a class like two years ago. Look how that turned out (he/him)

Bancroft: scarecrow looking one with blonde long hair and black hat and cloak, weird girl Wednesday and always in a silly goofy mood (she/he)

Sloan: very gray with a red string around his neck, obligatory headless horseman lameguy he sucks party pooper protective but in a “tch.. don’t think about it too much” way (he/xe)

Ichabod: pumpkin on head eerieguy is he contemplating something or is he just autism we’ll never know (he/it)

I’ll add Constance eventually idk he’s also there but he’s more intwined with the behemoths than his fellow mortals (werewolf guy he/him)

#oc lore #oc #ocs

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Operation Cowboy

On this day in 1945, a coalition of American and German soldiers work to save the famous white Lipizzaner horses from an advancing Russian army. World War II was not yet over, but the mission united the two sides, if only for the moment. “The 2nd U.S. Cavalry put a hold on the war for two days,” one American soldier later said, “while we extracted a sliver of culture for the rest of the world.” None of it would have happened but for Luftwaffe Colonel Walter Holters. The desperate German officer came to 2nd Cavalry headquarters in southeastern Germany, near Czechoslovakia. He waved a white flag, but his was no ordinary surrender: Instead, Holters demanded to speak to the American officer in charge. That man was Colonel Charles “Hank” Reed, and he was stunned by Holters’s story: The Germans were holding hundreds of purebred horses at a stud in Hostau, just inside Czech territory. Among these horses were all the brood mares for the prized Lipizzaner show horses. These horses were normally housed at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, but the German high command had different plans: It intended to use the Lipizzaner mares as the base for a new warhorse. They were breeding (essentially) an Aryan horse. But now the Germans were going down in defeat, and the Russian army was advancing. The Red Army had already shot Lipizzaners at the Royal Hungarian Riding School. They’d turned those priceless horses into steak. Holters feared his horses could be next. Would Reed help? The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-operation-cowboy

#tdih #otd #this day in history #history #history blog #America #world war ii #horses #horse lover #sharethehistory

[zl181]

Comprehensive Biography of Zhang Zi

Zhang Zi, styled Ziyi (張咨字子議; d. Winter 190), was a civil official who was the Grand Administrator of Nanyang.

Ancestry

Zhang Zi came from Yingchuan Commandery.[1]

Life

He was famous.[1]

Death

Around 190, he presumably became Grand Administrator of Nanyang because Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, whom Dong Zhuo held high opinions of, advocated for Zhang Zi to be appointed to office.[6] Despite Dong Zhuo giving him the post, he intended to contribute his troops to the Guandong Coalition.[2] However, he was killed by Sun Jian before he could do anything.

There are two accounts of his death. The official biography of Sun Jian states that when Sun Jian and his army arrived in Nanyang, he sent men to request military supplies from Zhang Zi, who was allegedly calm abut the arrival.[3][4] Zhang Zi asked a subordinate of his, who said,

"Jian's neighboring commanderies have officials that have not been asked by him."

So Zhang Zi declined Sun Jian.[4] However, Sun Jian offered cattle and wine to Zhang Zi if he intended a feast, which Zhang Zi did the next day. When Zhang Zi became drunk, the registrar of Changsha entered the room and told Sun Jian,

"Previously, you sent [orders] to Nanyang, but the roads and pathways are still unruly and military supplies were not provided. I ask that you arrest [Zi] and have me interrogate him in his intentions."

Zhang Zi heard this and became very greatly afraid and tried to leave, only to be confronted by Sun Jian's army on all four directions. Shortly after, the same registrar again entered and told Sun Jian,

"The Grand Administrator of Nanyang has halted [raising] righteous troops and so caused the traitors to not then be suppressed. I ask that you arrest him and take him out to judge him and have military law carried out."

Thus Sun Jian dragged out Zi to the army gates and beheaded him.[3]

The second version from the Records of Wu by Hu Chong stated that when Sun Jian arrived at Nanyang, Zhang Zi did not give out military supplies and was unwilling to even meet Sun Jian. Sun Jian wanted to attack Zhang Zi because he feared Zhang Zi would be a future threat, so he pretended to have become seriously ill. He had his army act as though they were fearful and trying to save his life desperately. Eventually, Sun Jian sent his close relatives to tell Zhang Zi that as Sun Jian was supposedly very will, he wanted to have his troops given to Zhang Zi. Zhang Zi was delighted and led 500 or 600 infantry and cavalry to Sun Jian's camp and visited him. Sun Jian was lying down when he met with Zi. Without warning, Sun Jian rose up, pressed his sword against Zhang Zi, and scolded him. Afterwards, he beheaded him.[5]

Legacy

Zhang Zi's death frightened the people of Nanyang Commandery that they gave Sun Jian what he wanted without fail. The commandery itself was given to Yuan Shu, but his government was very unpopular.[6]

Personal Info

Name: Wang Rui (張咨)

Style name: Ziyi (子議)[1]

Death date: Winter 190/Spring 191 (11th/12th lunar month of 1st year of the Chuping era)[7]

References

[1] - 【咨字子議，潁川人，亦知名。】《英雄記》

[2] - 初，卓信任尚書周毖、城門校尉伍瓊等，用其所舉韓馥、劉岱、孔伷、張咨、張邈等出宰州郡。而馥等至官，皆合兵將以討卓。】《三國志•董卓傳》

[3] - 【比至南陽，衆數萬人。南陽太守張咨聞軍至，晏然自若。堅以牛酒禮咨，咨明日亦荅詣堅。酒酣，長沙主簿入白堅：「前移南陽，而道路不治，軍資不具，請收主簿推問意故。」咨大懼欲去，兵陳四周不得出。有頃，主簿復入白堅：「南陽太守稽停義兵，使賊不時討，請收出案軍法從事。」便牽咨於軍門斬之。郡中震慄，無求不獲。】《三国志•孫堅傳》

[4] - 【袁術表堅假中郎將。堅到南陽，移檄太守請軍糧。咨以問綱紀，綱紀曰：「堅鄰郡二千石，不應調發。」咨遂不與。】《獻帝春秋》

[5] - 【初堅至南陽，咨旣不給軍糧，又不肯見堅。堅欲進兵，恐有後患，乃詐得急疾，舉軍震惶，迎呼巫醫，禱祀山川。遣所親人說咨，言病困，欲以兵付咨。咨聞之，心利其兵，即將步騎五六百人詣營省堅。堅卧與相見。無何，卒然而起，按劒罵咨，遂執斬之。】《吳歷》

[6] - 【會長沙太守孫堅殺南陽太守張咨，術得據其郡。南陽戶口數百萬，而術奢淫肆欲，徵斂無度，百姓苦之。】《三国志•袁術傳》

[7] - 【冬十一月…孫堅殺荊州刺史王叡，又殺南陽太守張咨。】《後漢書•孝獻帝紀》

#zhang zi #sun jian #yuan shu

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

How much for gas? Around the world, pain is felt at the pump (AP) At a gas station near the Cologne, Germany, airport, Bernd Mueller watches the digits quickly climb on the pump. “I’m getting rid of my car this October, November,” said Mueller, 80. “I’m retired, and then there’s gas and all that. At some point, you’ve got to scale back.” Across the globe, drivers like Mueller are rethinking their habits and personal finances amid skyrocketing prices for gasoline and diesel, fueled by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the global rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Energy prices are a key driver of inflation that is rising worldwide and making the cost of living more expensive. A motorcycle taxi driver in Vietnam turns off his ride-hailing app rather than burn precious fuel during rush-hour backups. A French family scales back ambitions for an August vacation. A graphic designer in California factors the gas price into the bill for a night out. A mom in Rome, figuring the cost of driving her son to camp, mentally crosses off a pizza night. Decisions across the world’s economy are as varied as the consumers and countries themselves: Walk more. Dust off that bicycle. Take the subway, the train or the bus. Use a lighter touch on the gas pedal to save fuel. Review that road trip—is it worth it? Or perhaps even go carless.

Inflation taking bite out of new infrastructure projects (AP) The price of a foot of water pipe in Tucson, Arizona: up 19%. The cost of a ton of asphalt in a small Massachusetts town: up 37%. The estimate to build a new airport terminal in Des Moines, Iowa: 69% higher, with a several year delay. Inflation is taking a toll on infrastructure projects across the U.S., driving up costs so much that state and local officials are postponing projects, scaling back others and reprioritizing their needs. The price hikes already are diminishing the value of a $1 trillion infrastructure plan President Joe Biden signed into law just seven months ago. That law had included, among other things, a roughly 25% increase in regular highway program funding for states. “Those dollars are essentially evaporating,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “The cost of those projects is going up by 20%, by 30%, and just wiping out that increase from the federal government that they were so excited about earlier in the year.”

Britain will electronically tag some asylum seekers with GPS devices (Washington Post) Britain will start placing electronic tagging devices on some asylum seekers after they arrive on small boats via the English Channel or through what the government calls “dangerous and unnecessary routes.” The plan launched this week, which the Home Office described as a one-year pilot, may involve adults who face deportation, impose a curfew on some or allow the detention and prosecution of those who do not comply with the new rules. The British Home Office said the plan will test whether monitoring migrants with GPS devices will help “maintain regular contact” and “more effectively progress their claims,” as well as collect information on how many escape custody. But refugee advocates denounced it as treating desperate people seeking shelter as criminals. The government indicated that among those who could be tagged would be people who challenged a decision to send them to Rwanda, after a legal showdown ended this week with the British government canceling the inaugural flight proposed under the heavily criticized policy.

Macron Loses Majority (1440) French President Emmanuel Macron lost control of the country's parliament yesterday, after his centrist coalition failed to win a majority of the 577-seat body in national elections. The outcome means Macron, elected to a second term in April, will likely face significant challenges in achieving legislative priorities. Macron and his political allies in the National Assembly faced stiff opposition from both the left and the right. A progressive coalition led by veteran left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon appears on track to win around 140 seats, while Marine Le Pen's conservative populist bloc is projected to take 90 seats—a significant jump from the eight seats won in 2017. As of this writing, Macron's bloc is projected to take around 230 to 240 seats. Analysts say frustration with major parties has led to a drop in voter enthusiasm, with less than half of eligible voters casting ballots.

Germany Turns to Coal (1440) German officials announced yesterday the country would restart a number of coal-fired power plants over the coming months as part of an effort to conserve natural gas supplies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The move comes in response to Russia's recent throttling of gas exports to Europe. Natural gas accounts for about 25% of Germany's energy consumption, the majority of which is used for heating and industrial purposes. Roughly one-third—down from more than half—of Germany's gas supplies come from Russia.

Russian Forces Tighten Noose Around Important Cities in Ukraine’s East (NYT) Russian forces appeared poised to tighten the noose around thousands of Ukrainian troops near two strategically important cities in the fiercely contested Donbas region of eastern Ukraine on Sunday, mounting an assault on Ukrainian front lines that forced Ukraine to rush reinforcements to the area. The Russians made an initial breakthrough Sunday in Toshkivka, a small town southeast of the metropolitan area of Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, where vicious street-by-street fighting and artillery duels have raged for weeks. Sergei Haidai, the regional military governor, acknowledged that the Russians had “had success” in the Toshkivka area but said the occupiers “suffered defeat” after Ukrainian artillery went to Toshkivka’s defense. It was not clear who controlled Toshkivka by nightfall Sunday. If Moscow’s forces succeed in eventually surrounding Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, however, thousands of Ukrainian fighters defending the two cities could be stranded. That would deliver a hard-won military victory to the Kremlin and bring Russian forces a step closer to fulfilling President Vladimir V. Putin’s objective of seizing all of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

Death in Ukraine (NYT) A war can be measured by many metrics. Territory won or lost. Geopolitical influence increased or diminished. Treasure acquired or resources depleted. But for the people suffering under the shelling, who hear the whistling of incoming missiles, the crack of gunfire on the streets and the wails of loss out of shattered windows, the death toll is the most telling account of a war. In Ukraine, no one is quite sure exactly what that toll is, except that many many people have been killed. An “endless caravan of death,” said Petro Andryushchenko, an official for the devastated city of Mariupol. In its latest updates, the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said 4,509 civilians had been killed in the conflict. But it is clear that many thousands more have been killed. Ukraine’s chief of police, Ihor Klymenko, said this past week that prosecutors had opened criminal proceedings “for the deaths of more than 12,000 people who were found, in particular, in mass graves.” And in Mariupol, the Black Sea city flattened by Russian bombardment, Ukrainian officials in exile have said that examinations of mass graves using satellite imagery, witness testimony and other evidence have led them to believe that at least 22,000 were killed—and possibly thousands more. The casualty figures exclude the thousands believed killed in territories held by Russian forces. And even where Ukraine has regained control, Mr. Klymenko said, it was premature to calculate the dead in mass graves, as more are found every week.

South Asia floods hampering access to food, clean water (AP) Floods in South Asia wreaking havoc Monday hindered authorities’ efforts to deliver food and drinking water to shelters across Assam in northeastern India and north and northeastern regions of Bangladesh. More than a dozen people died across Bangladesh since the monsoon began last week, authorities said. The government called in soldiers Friday to help evacuate people, and Ekattor TV station said millions remained without electricity. Assam has been reeling from massive floods after heavy torrential rains over the past few weeks made the Brahmaputra River break its banks, leaving millions of homes underwater and severing transport links. The Brahmaputra flows from China’s Tibet through India and into Bangladesh on a nearly 800-kilometer (500-mile) journey through Assam.

New park in central Bangkok gives Thais needed green space (AP) Bursting with trees, ponds, plants and birdlife, a new inner-city park is delighting residents of Thailand’s bustling, congested capital. Every day, crowds visit Benjakitti Forest Park to savor a taste of nature in the heart of Bangkok. It’s part of a drive to create a greener, more livable Bangkok by 2030, by bringing shade, peace and quiet to the hot, cacophonous city. Another park adjacent to the site was built in the 1990s, with a vast, man-made lake. But the new, semi-wild, 41-hectare (101-acre) extension has captured the capital’s imagination. On weekends up to 12,000 people a day use its nature trail, walkways and cycling paths, snapping photos from its viewing platforms to fill their social media feeds. Surrounded by concrete and steel, city residents currently enjoy just 7 square meters (75 square feet) of urban green space per head, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. The aim is to increase that to 10 square meters (108 square feet) by 2030 through a much-touted park-building program, and by planting more trees.

Israel to dissolve parliament, call 5th election in 3 years (AP) Israel’s weakened coalition government announced Monday that it would dissolve parliament and call new elections, setting the stage for the possible return to power of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or another period of prolonged political gridlock. The election will be Israel’s fifth in three years, and it will put the polarizing Netanyahu, who has been the opposition leader for the past year, back at the center of the political universe. “I think the winds have changed. I feel it,” Netanyahu declared. The previous four elections, focused on Netanyahu’s fitness to rule while facing a corruption investigation, ended in deadlock. While opinion polls project Netanyahu, who is now on trial, as the front-runner, it is far from certain that his Likud party can secure the required parliamentary majority to form a new government.

Over 200 Feared Dead in Ethiopia Massacre (NYT) An Ethiopian rebel group massacred more than 200 members of the Amhara ethnic group on Sunday, according to officials and news reports, the latest atrocity amid a civil war that threatens to tear apart Africa’s second-most-populous nation. Witnesses and officials told The Associated Press that at least 230 people were killed when members of the Oromo Liberation Army attacked Tole, a village in Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest region. The Oromo Liberation Army, a rebel group known as the O.L.A. that is designated as a terror organization by the Ethiopian government, denied carrying out the killings and said they were committed by a militia aligned with the regional government supporting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The attack was among the worst ethnic violence to roil the country since November 2020 when the government and its allies began trying to suppress a rebellion that began in the northern region of Tigray. The Tigrayans, an ethnic minority that long held outsized political power in the country, revolted against efforts by Mr. Abiy to do away with the country’s system of ethnic federalism. The conflict soon exploded into a civil war, cleaving the country along ethnic lines and leaving thousands dead and injured and millions hungry and displaced. Fighters on both sides of the conflict have committed war crimes, including ethnic cleansing, mass killings and sexual violence.

‘Day Zero’ water crisis looms on South Africa’s eastern cape (Washington Post) Activists in Gqeberha have long warned of “day zero”—the moment when the taps in this South African coastal city will run dry. Years of severe drought and municipal mismanagement have edged Gqeberha closer and closer to that reality. Now, day zero is nearly here. On Monday, city officials announced that one of its four major dams had reached a level so low that barges trying to extract water sucked in mud instead. Another dam is expected to fail in the next two weeks, a third in about a month. Large parts of the city could be completely without running water by the end of the month, according to local officials. For many in South Africa, water shortages have long been a way of life. Recurring droughts in the region—which experts say are almost certainly exacerbated by climate change—combined with decaying infrastructure and poor maintenance, have led to repeated water outages in Nelson Mandela Bay, where Gqeberha is located, as well as in other cities.

#headlines #news

[cyarsk52-20]

It’s Black people fault racists being racist? Shut the hell up.

It’s Black people fault this piss ass state has a Democratic party run by a Republican oil heiress who likely PURPOSELY handicapped this race?

Go shoe shine somewhere the fuck else

Black people dont even have the NUMBERS to do that in Louisiana. Yall dumb as FUCK.

Whole state party run by bitches who were at work when the Challenger exploded but want the KIDS to give a fuck about any of this

NO SMOKE for any other race. Black folks gotta fix it all? Suck my imaginary dick!

Shawn Wilson didnt even start campaigning around the state til THIS FUCKING SUMMER. The Democrats did not even TRY.

You slew foot ass unseasoned chicken flavored bitches really couldnt wait til MONDAY after the election to blame Black folks. Have they even finished the TALLY?! LIKEEEEEEEEE

It’s always BLACK PEOPLE fault for you piss poor ass bitches not wanting to do your jobs.

Kiss my ass!

Its Black people holding this PISS ASS STATE TOGETHER

and that piss ass state doesn’t deserve nann black body a resident or tourist

It’s Black people fault the LA Democratic Party spending time funding Dem vs. Dem races instead of recruiting new talent so we dont all have to vote DOWN BALLOT for Republicans? Go choke on a bag of weiners

So if you are on this app blaming BLACK PEOPLE IN LOUISIANA, a 3rd of this population and many of whom are ineligible to vote and are gerrymandered out of being able TO vote, you a shoeshining ass bitch and I wish the worst for you

This piss ass state is what it is CAUSE THE LA DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS A CLOWN CAR

How is this even ACCEPTABLE? To just outright LIE and claim Black people are the reason Jeff Landry is now governor? You dont think we dont know he HATES US? But guess what? So do LOUISIANA Dems.

We supposed to look at Katrina Jackson or Troy Carter like KINFOLK? PLEASE

LMAO at blaming low voter turnout on voting day being the same weekend as 2 HBCU homecomings (as if that wasnt by design by those fucking racists) AND NOT DEMOCRATS BEING FUCKING TRASH

Also bitching about low voter turnout? BABY GIRL /BOY OR BETTER YET BIIITCH FUCK OFF.

You fuckers didnt run on WOMEN despite THESE headlines circulating the block all year, if I had a penis you can choke on it

Also LEST WE FORGET:

Black Democrats outlawed abortion in Louisiana. That bill was signed into law by a DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR.

YOU fquckasses NEED TO BURN IN HELL blaming Black residents of this ridiculous state for the disarray of the Party and the harm we experience. Heck I’ll take you down there myself if I could

Also ALOT OF PEOPLE are ineligible to vote due to their immigration status and criminal records. 1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record and Louisiana incarcerates the most people per capita IN. THE. WORLD. I dont wanna hear this goddamn bullshit narrative around us.

ALL you nigclears and nig hew bitches (along with actual hews and clears ) need to turn that mirror onto yourselves.

Fucking Carter out here shoeshining for Steve Scalise of all people and you want Black folks to swoop in and save the day for you ungrateful bitches.

YALL gave Jeff Landry this race. Leave Black Louisianians ALONE

And let me tell you something else! If Jeff Landry

1. Stealing taxpayer money

2. Using the LA police as hired guns for his donors

3. Running an interstate coalition of AGs to hunt women for abortions & supporting the DEATH penalty for them

wasnt ENOUGH? Nothing was gonna be.

And the ONLY reason y’all blaming Black people is b/c y’all are deluded enough into thinking we ALL experience harm the same. Black people suffer no matter WHO is in office. Bel Edwards signed the first Blue Lives Matter bill into law in the NATION & HID CORRUPT COPS FROM THE LAW

Honestly Yall mothers are BITCH MADE! And y’all daddy’s mommas some ugly HOES! And so are you

And that’s what the problem is. So on DAY 1 post-election in one of the WORST DEFEATS this state’s Democratic party has ever seen, maybe sit with THAT instead of uniting under a “Blame Black folks” narrative

The state with the WORST maternal mortality rate in the nation has DEMOCRATS ban abortion.

WORST education in the country and they banning Black history and books

HIGHEST incarceration rate & a Democrat shielded murderous cops from the FBI.

BUT WANT BLACK FOLKS TO SHOW UP?

Like this state doesn’t deserve them!

let the state drown in the mess they made. Drown!

Sorry for the rant but I had to LET THEIR ASSES KNOW!! They always wanna blame the utter failures on black folks. Nah! The turnout sucked because your policies sucked and you didn’t want to do the work.

This is the same rhetoric that will be floating around next year in Florida if the Democratic and progressives orgs do not get it together. They have so much work to do to rebuild infrastructure & re-engage voters and I have yet to see it.

don’t you dare blame black folks because you’re incompetent af!

[wordexpress]

Congress Chief Announces Next Move As Uncertainty In Bihar Grows

Amid reports of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party Janata Dal (United) joining hands with the BJP, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that he has "no information on JD(U) leaving the alliance". JD(U) is currently one of the strongest parties in the opposition's INDIA bloc which aims to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

"I don't have information on Janata Dal (United) leaving the alliance. I have written a letter to them. Tried to speak to them. But don't know what's on Nitish Kumar's mind," Mr Kharge told reporters today.

The Congress President said he will go to Delhi tomorrow to gather more information and figure out what is happening in Bihar.

"Tomorrow I'll go to Delhi and take full information. Let's see what will happen. We don't have information that Nitish will resign. He hasn't told us about meeting Governor," he said.

"I don't have information so can't tell you authentic. Let's see what happens," he added.

According to sources, Nitish Kumar is likely to take oath as Bihar Chief Minister again tomorrow, a record ninth time, supported by the BJP. The political churn has triggered a flurry of activities, with large-scale transfers of officers adding to the suspense. Reports of an imminent change in government are rife, casting a shadow over the current 'Mahagathbandhan' ruling coalition.

Congress has been struggling to bring all its allies in the India bloc on the same page in order to mount a strong challenge to the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. Mr Kharge said that the party is trying their best to make everyone unite.

"We are trying our best to make everyone unite together. I've spoken to Mamata (Banerjee) and Nitish and (Sitaram) Yechury to be united. Told them we need to be united only then we can give a good fight," he said.

"India alliance will work well and democracy should be saved, whoever wants this won't take a hasty decision is what I feel," Mr Kharge added.

Nitish Kumar has convened a session of the legislature party at 10 am on Sunday. Reports suggest that he could join hands and officially stake claim to the Chief Minister post for an unprecedented ninth time, backed by the BJP later tomorrow.

#Bihar Political Crisis #Nitish Kumar #Mallikarjun Kharge

[simplicius-simplicissimus]

How the Holocaust happened - recent German history

„It is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country“.

-Hermann Göring

Video:

Transcript of the video:

Comment: The dark chapter of the recent German history is omnipresent in the life of a German: as a subject matter at school, in the news in form of current topics with reference to the Nazi era or on news channels where this recent history is told again and again in reports etc. It almost seems like a kind of “brainwashing” - and has now the effect on many young Germans that they often no longer want to hear it: “That was so long ago - and what do we have to do with the Nazi era?" That's true to a certain extent - but you can only recognize certain negative developments in a society if you are capable of doing so. And this requires knowledge about it. Benjamin Franklin (one of the founding fathers of the USA) was once asked what the USA would be - a republic or a monarchy. He replied: “A republic….if you can keep it!” Ultimately, it is up to the citizens of a republic whether they will live freely or „choose“ (elect) bondage in the truest sense of the word. A republic or democracy is only as good as its citizens, who hopefully think and act wisely, virtuously and democratically.

The founders of the Federal Republic of Germany (the second republic after the first failed “Weimar Republic”) had the following in mind: war should never again originate from German soil and such excesses as in the Nazi era should never occur again in Germany. In addition to the important historical education of its citizens, there is also the so-called “Verfassungsschutz” (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) in Germany, which has the task of identifying radical, violent or anti-democratic movements and, if necessary, banning such movements (in course of a legal process). Freedom of speech and opinion is important in a democracy and that is why the “Verfassungsschutz” is subject to strict parliamentary controls and rules (we also know the negative sides of such an authority like the “Stasi” in the former GDR) - but our history has also taught us that anti-democratic and anti-constitutional tendencies must be recognized early and combated before they become a serious problem in society.

Hitler had already attempted a coup in 1923 and was imprisoned as a result. During his imprisonment he then wrote “Mein Kampf” (My Fight). The Nazi movement learned from its failed coup attempt in 1923 - and then did better later. In 1933, the Nazi Party became the strongest party in Germany - but did not have a majority on its own. Hitler could only come to power in a coalition with another party. The democratic members of that party thought they could control the anti-democratic Nazis - a complete misjudgment. Hitler was in fact democratically elected to power - but as soon as he had got the power, he and his companions gradually dismantled democracy and showed their real face and intention. All social, economic, political and cultural forces were integrated into the unified organization of the Nazi dictatorship - it was called „Gleichschaltung“ (Synchronization). There was no longer any independent and critical public opinion - only the Nazi narrative. The crazy thing about the human brain is that if you tell lies often enough, they become perceived reality for some people. In a previous blog post (search for „way of thinking“) I already reported that human brains can be programmed (conditioned) for the good, but also for the bad. Manipulative and criminal people often exploit this trait for their own purposes. At the state level these are autocrats or dictators. That is why such anti-democrats should never be allowed to come to power in the first place - either because the citizens do not vote for them or because the relevant state authorities prevent this.

The following statements by Joseph Goebbels – a proverbial “wolf in sheep’s clothing” – show how dangerous such people are and what they really think of us. They know human psyche well and know how to manipulate it:

„It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle. They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe ideas and disguise.“

„The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over.“

„Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.“

„You can’t change the masses. They will always be the same: dumb, gluttonous and forgetful.“

„The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world.“

„As a young person, to already have the courage to face the pitiless glare, to overcome the fear of death, and to regain respect for death – this is the task of this young generation.“ Translation: „Be prepared to be cannon fodder for the interest of your leader.“

It‘s hard to bear watching another civilized society march towards autocracy. Sometimes you can‘t „let the voter decide“ - since the „normal voter“ often doesn’t see the danger. That's why wise people in the past, who have experienced and managed such dangers personally themselves, built guardrails into our constitutions.

-Simplicius Simplicissimus

#movies #filme #then & now #quotes #zitate #hermann goering #hermann göring #joseph goebbels #dictatorship #diktatur #propaganda #germany #german history #deutschland #deutsche geschichte #holocaust #traveling #reisen #simplicius simplicissimus #Youtube

[chuckschmalzried]

Remembering Our Veterans: Stories of Heroism and Sacrifice

Remembering Our Veterans: Stories of Heroism and Sacrifice http://chuckschmalzried.net/remembering-our-veterans-stories-of-heroism-and-sacrifice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=remembering-our-veterans-stories-of-heroism-and-sacrifice Veterans Day is a time to honor and remember the countless men and women who have served their countries in the armed forces. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to their courage, dedication, and sacrifices. Each veteran has a unique story, and their experiences often exemplify the heroism and selflessness that characterize their service. This article highlights a few of these stories to commemorate the brave veterans who have made a difference. Audie Murphy: Audie Murphy, one of World War II’s most decorated American combat soldiers, received 33 awards and decorations, including the Medal of Honor. Murphy’s heroism is best exemplified during a battle in France when he held off a German company of soldiers, called in artillery fire on his position, and then led a successful counterattack.  Desmond Doss: Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist and conscientious objector, served as a combat medic in World War II without carrying a weapon. Despite facing intense combat and refusing to bear arms, Doss saved 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa, earning him the Medal of Honor.  Alvin York: Sergeant Alvin York was a highly decorated U.S. soldier during World War I. In the face of heavy enemy fire, he captured 132 German soldiers and silenced 35 machine guns, a feat for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. York’s story is an example of remarkable courage and resourcefulness. Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills: During World War II, Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills made history as the first African American WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) officers. They broke racial and gender barriers by enlisting in the U.S. Navy, paving the way for future generations of women of color to serve in the armed forces. General Norman Schwarzkopf: General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, known as “Stormin’ Norman,” commanded coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s. His leadership and strategic insight played a pivotal role in Kuwait’s swift and successful liberation from Iraqi forces. Mary Edwards Walker: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a contract surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War, became the first and only woman to receive the Medal of Honor. She served in numerous battles, including Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Chickamauga, where she was captured and held as a prisoner of war. Robert Maxwell: Technical Sergeant Robert D. Maxwell, a World War II veteran, demonstrated incredible heroism during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He led his unit through fierce enemy fire to achieve their mission and saved many lives. Maxwell was awarded the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery. John Basilone: Sergeant John Basilone was a Marine Corps veteran who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal. His leadership and bravery in intense combat were instrumental in repelling enemy forces. It’s essential to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served in the military, protecting the values and freedoms that we hold dear. These stories remind us of the remarkable individuals who have answered the call to serve their nations. They inspire us to express gratitude and appreciation for their selflessness and sacrifices. The post Remembering Our Veterans: Stories of Heroism and Sacrifice first appeared on Chuck Schmalzried | Stories of Heroes. via Chuck Schmalzried | Stories of Heroes http://chuckschmalzried.net November 07, 2023 at 12:15PM

#Chuck Schmalzried | Stories of Heroes

[mariacallous]

Tech entrepreneur Vassil Terziev will run for the post of Sofia mayor in elections due this autumn against GERB’s as yet unannounced candidate, on the promise of green politics, political transparency and improved infrastructure.

“It’s all about responsibility: successful people should circle back and contribute to the society they come from,” Terziev said on Wednesday on Nova TV during his first media appearance as a candidate. His nomination was announced on Tuesday. 

Terziev has been nominated by “We Continue the Change” and Democratic Bulgaria, by the Save Sofia organisation, which recently registered as a party and by a citizens’ initiative of architects and ecological activists called Sofia’s Team. 

This means that one segment of the current ruling coalition, “We Continue the Change” and Democratic Bulgaria, will be challenging their government partner GERB’s influence in the municipalities, while still trying to build a stable government with GERB.

Terziev was born in 1978. He has not been involved in politics before and in public is mostly known as the cofounder of Bulgaria’s highly profitable tech company, Telerik.

US company Progress Software bought Telerrik for $262.5 million US in 2014, making it one of the most successful deals in Bulgaria’s tech history, while Terziev adopted the position of Chief Innovation Officer.

Over the next few years, Terziev and the other Telerik founders started an academy and founded the startup incubator Campus X. Terziev also became a managing partner at Eleven Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund focused on Southeastern European startups.

The strength of the desire for change will determine his chances of taking over the capital.

Current Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandakova from GERB has been in office since 2009 and is at the end of her third consecutive mandate.

She has been increasingly criticised by opposition voices, NGOs and citizen organisations for the low quality of city infrastructure, air pollution in winter, increased construction in neighbourhoods, and is hampered by GERB’s legacy of corruption allegations.

In November last year, ex-PM and GERB leader Boyko Borissov stated that their next mayoral candidate would not be Fandakova – all part of the party’s mission to repair its tarnished image.

As part of the same strategy Borissov has promoted Mariya Gabriel as Bulgaria’s new PM and ended support for controversial Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev whose removal was long demanded by the opposition. 

These moves have brought success, as GERB is again in power in an uneasy joint government with its former opponents “We Continue the Change” and Democratic Bulgaria, which ended Bulgaria’s two-year election cycle.

The parties mapped out an experimental format which would see WCC member Nickolay Denkov as Bulgaria’s PM for the first nine months and GERB’s Mariya Gabriela for the next nine. 

If Terziev channels the thirst for change in Sofia, he will become city mayor as the government  is gradually transferred to Gabriel as Prime Minister, likely an opponent. 

The mayoral elections will test whether Borissov’s dominance of local government remains intact: GERB’s presence is especially strong in municipalities, which in turn has given life to numerous allegations of corruption and extortion. 

GERB’s Sofia candidate is widely expected to be Georgi Georgiev, born in 1986 and since 2021 the chairman of the Sofia Municipal Council.