America

Sunday Musings In A ‘Heatwave’ July

~ beetleypete ~ 60 Comments

Today sees the start of increasing temperatures that are forecast to give us the second ‘heatwave’ (by UK standards) of 2022. We are expecting 32-33C (90-92F) by midweek, with hot and humid nights. For me, this means taking Ollie out much earlier, to spare him the afternoon heat, and sleeping on top of the bed in front of a large pedestal fan. No rain is forecast, so that at least will keep me cheerful.

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For anyone still remotely interested, (and I do not blame you if you are not) my driving licence has still not been received. So I am continuing to drive on a technically ‘expired’ licence, and if stopped, I will look forward to a day in court exposing the complete shambles that is the DVLA here.

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There is no news that does not concern who will replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. So for me this is of no interest. Whoever replaces him will still be hitting the poor, the working class, and the unions. Trampling on hard-won rights and working conditions, and laughing at those struggling to get by. Also trying to dismantle our beloved NHS, and continuing to sell off its services to private companies based in America. In short, I hate them all, with a vengeance. So I will hate whoever they choose, for as long as I am still alive. (That hatred is real, not a choice of words.)

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I’m struggling to think of anything postive for these musings, to be honest. But we are looking forward to our 7-day holiday in September. Although in England, and only 90 miles from Beetley, it gives us a change of scene next to a beach, and we can take Ollie with us.
Everyone on Earth needs something to look forward to, and this holiday is what I look forward to, humble though it may be.

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More shootings in America since I was last here. My one observation is that those ‘brave gun owners’, that ‘good man with a gun’, much lauded by the NRA, appeared to be too scared to fire back at the Chicago shooter. Why am I not surprised about that? Taking selfies in front of your 200+ gun collection is very different to having the guts to fire back.
That ‘brave man with a gun’ is just a coward with a gun. They all are, that is why they own guns. The are scared, but they are also too scared to use them when it matters. Cowards.

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That’s about it for the 10th of July. I hope you have a stress-free Sunday, wherever you are, and whatever you are doing.

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Meeting a Blogger: The Letter, The Book, and the Otter

~ beetleypete ~ 25 Comments

Two marvellous teachers meet online through blogging, and then they actually meet in person! A heartwarming true-life story for all the family.

A Teacher's Reflections

Do you often think how wonderful it would be to meet a favorite blogger – in person – and spend the day with them?  I certainly do.  And it happened!  Well, in order to tell the wonderful story, I must start at the beginning:

It Happened Like This…

Pete Springer is one of my favorite bloggers.  Our mutual interest in children and teaching was the start of our connection.  It has grown to include the love of children’s books, the great outdoors, how the little things are the big things, and more.  It’s a long list, and a good one.  When he planned a visit to see his three brothers, he wanted to connect with two bloggers.  Yes, he wanted to meet me!  Was I excited?  You bet!

It was as if we had known each other for years.  Well we had, of course, through blogging.  ‘In Person’ was the…

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Two Levels Of The Ukraine War

~ beetleypete ~ 7 Comments

An alternative American view of the war in Ukraine. Always worth reading a different opinion from someone who knows his history.

In Saner Thought

Like all war there is more to them than the one sided manure that the media spreads……Ukraine is no different….there at least two levels to this conflict.

If you get your opinion from the MSM then you know that Russia invaded Ukraine….Ukraine is heroically fighting back….and refugees are fleeing and suffering…..and that is about it.  In other words Ukraine–good….Russia–bad.

Back in 2019 I tried to explain what was happening in Ukraine….

https://lobotero.com/2019/11/15/ukraine-for-dummies/

But there is more going on than the small amount of information that corporate news is willing to share…..

It has become increasingly clear to the world that there is not one, but two, actually three, distinct levels of conflict embedded in what the world’s media and political leadership deceptively insist of calling the ‘Ukraine War.’ The first level was clearly initiated on February 24, 2022 when Russia launched an aggressive war against Ukraine imperiling its sovereign rights…

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Maps: Native Americans

~ beetleypete ~ 34 Comments

Continuing my interest in maps, I found these three, which compare the locations of native North American tribes before settlers arrived with where they are living today.
(The maps can be enlarged by clicking on them)

A map designed by Native North Americans themsleves, depicting their history.

A more modern map, showing a European view of tribal locations in America and Canada at the time of the arrival of foreign settlers.

This map shows the current dispersal of Native Americans in modern-day USA.

December The 7th, 1941

~ beetleypete ~ 43 Comments

Eighty years ago today, Japan attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbour, and brought the United States into WW2.

As a result, a bitter war was fought in the Pacific, and so many soldiers and civilians died. Some years later, American troops and equipment made D-Day possible, and Germany was finally defeated.

Becuase of Japan’s entry into the war, the allies finally had to invent a super-weapon to defeat that country, and the world went into the terrifying nuclear age.

Let us never forget those who died on that day, and always remember the significance of the date in world history.

Diet, Obesity, and Covid-19

~ beetleypete ~ 32 Comments

I found this interesting article online yesterday. It is from an American source, and looks at how the administration in the USA appears to be failing to make the connection between obesity and the pandemic. The government there apparently has no visible policy on the national obesity epidemic either, or the related huge increase in Diabetes.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/31/covid-deaths-diet-diseases-nutrition-america-517076?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

Class Poverty In America: A Documentary Film

~ beetleypete ~ 31 Comments

My friend Antony sent me this 45-minute You Tube video. It was filmed by a European documentary maker, at a time when Donald Trump was still the President.

Middle-Class homeless living in their cars. People working full-time, but unable to afford to rent anywhere to live. From Hollywood, to Texas, to Virginia, a whole generation with no hope.

(I know this doesn’t apply to everyone in the USA, but at the time of filming, it affected around 40 million people)

It is worth your time to watch it, as any of us could be next. (You can easily turn off the subtitles in the bottom menu)