Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

GoneOffShore

GoneOffShore's Journal
GoneOffShore's Journal
February 9, 2022

Abstract light - Paris

February 9, 2022

Aixoise winter style - Palais du Justice - Aix en Provence





Posted on Instagram.
February 9, 2022

Geomagnetic storm toasts 40 of 49 SpaceX/Starlink Satellites. Musk is going need some burn ointment

Maybe Musk should change the name of SpaceX to Icarus?



SpaceX last week launched 49 shiny new Starlink broadband-beaming satellites, which is good. But 40 of them have already, or will shortly, meet their demise due to a geomagnetic storm that struck a few days after their ascent. Which is bad.


January 26, 2022

There are Nutella riots in France.

I hope that they don't spread and cause a lot of pain.

January 25, 2022

5 Questions for Free Speech Fetishists by Tim Wise

From the very insightful author and speaker, Tim Wise. He makes some very good points, and there's a lot to think about here.

I’m not shaming your kink, just curious about some things

Look, I get it.

As a writer and educator who makes my living speaking all over the country (at least virtually these past couple of years), I consider the First Amendment an invaluable instrument.

But that doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize its limits.

Nor does it mean that there aren’t legitimate questions about its application or how we balance freedom of speech with other Constitutional protections when they conflict.

And frankly, everyone believes in limits to free speech — even crypto-bro libertarians who think Bitcoin will replace currency and Ayn Rand wrote good novels.
January 16, 2022

Has anyone applied for Soc Security recently? Mrs GoS applied 3 months before her 62nd UPDATE!


Update

Received an email yesterday to check the SocSec website because there was an update on status. Did that and what do we find!
Huzzah!

We have processed 3 of 3 steps of your application.
We made a decision to approve your application on January 20, 2022.


Benefits & Payments
You are receiving:
Social Security (Retirement)
Your next payment is:
on February 3, 2022




Did the application on-line because we're in France. She hasn't started receiving benefits yet.
Called the Federal Benefits office at the Embassy, which now refers everyone to Baltimore. The office there says that her application is still being reviewed (possible code for: at the bottom of a deep pile of applications), and they will call and if they don't call back.

I'm trying to get a handle on whether it's just people living abroad who are experiencing delays in receiving benefits or anyone.

January 12, 2022

Demand a roll call vote on the Freedom to Vote Act.

Call Senator Schumer either in DC(202-224-6542) or Albany(518-431-4070 or New York City(212-486-4430 or all 3 and suggest when calling for a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Amendment demand that it be a roll call vote. US Senators will then be on record as being against Voting Rights.

Profile Information

Name: Sam
Gender: Male
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Current location: Aix-en-Provence
Member since: 2002
Number of posts: 17,548

About GoneOffShore

Moved to France in September of 2018 after buying our apartment in 2017 after the debacle of the election. We're glad to be here, but we continue to be involved with what's happening in the US.
Latest Discussions»GoneOffShore's Journal