July 1, 2022

Pope appoints first cardinal from Amazon rainforest

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — When the Archbishop of the Brazilian city of Manaus Leonardo Steiner kneels before Pope Francis on August 27, the Brazilian clergyman will make history as the first cardinal to come from the Amazon region.

“The communities feel that the distance between Rome and the Amazon is now smaller,” Steiner told The Associated Press in a written interview. “Perhaps this is the reason for the Amazonian people’s joy with Pope Francis’ move.”

Steiner attributed his selection to four priorities of the pope: the desire to do more missionary work in the Amazon and to be attentive to the poor; to care for the Amazon “as our common home” and to be a Church that “knows how to contribute to the autonomy of Indigenous people.”

Sprawling across nine countries, the Amazon region is larger than the European Union. It is home to 34 million people, of whom more than three million are Indigenous, belonging to around 400 ethnic groups, according to the Catholic Church.

https://wtop.com/asia/2022/07/pope-appoints-first-cardinal-from-amazon-rainforest/

June 19, 2022

The Texas Chapter of the Log Cabin Republikkans haz a sad

They were locked out of the Republican State Convention in Texas
According to the Mary Sue, LCR president Charles Moran is perplexed and saddened that his group was denied a booth
Not sure what he/they expected

https://www.themarysue.com/log-cabin-republicans-are-shocked-that-they-were-shut-out-of-texas-convention/

The 21st Century equivalent to the Association of German National Jews (ultra-right wing Jews in 20s and early 30s Germany that embraced the Nazis -- until they couldn't... because they were dead or sent away)

June 14, 2022

This guy never quits (Andrew - UK)

Prince Andrew ‘lobbying Queen to have royal status reinstated’, report says

The Duke of York is pushing for a return to royal duties and has asked the Queen to reinstate his role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards.

The prince lost the coveted role along with other military titles and royal patronages in January.

The monarch’s disgraced second son stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and after he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case against Virginia Giuffre.

snip

Almost six months on, he not only wants to be reinstated as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, but also wants to be able to attend royal engagements alongside other members of the royal family, according to The Telegraph.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-andrew-falklands-role-royal-title-queen-b2099486.html

The perv embarrassed the Queen at Philip's funeral (he wasn't supposed to walk the Queen down the aisle at the Cathedral)
He expected to be invited to make a public appearance at the Order of the Garter ceremony at Windsor Castle on Monday, but was told to stay away.

I've read in several British publications that once Charles (or William) ascends the throne that Andrew will be moved well away from the Royal family. My suggestion is the Tower

June 11, 2022

Jim Jefferies -- Gun Control (Part 1) from BARE

updated to add part 2

June 3, 2022

The Russian navy's surprising losses against Ukraine are reminders of another humiliating defeat 117

Since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in late February, the Russian navy has suffered high-profile losses against a heavily outnumbered and outgunned adversary.

The Russians have lost at least five Raptor-class patrol boats, one Tapir-class landing ship, one Serna-class landing craft, and most notably the Moskva, a Slava-class guided-missile cruiser that was also the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet.

snip

Fought in the waters between Korea and southern Japan by ships of the Japanese and Russian empires on May 27 and 28 in 1905, the battle cemented Japan's rise as an equal to Western powers and had a lasting impact on both Japan and Russia.

Japan gained a naval advantage relatively quickly. It fought off an attempt by the main part of the Russian Pacific Fleet to break the blockade of Port Arthur and largely defeated Russia's Vladivostok-based squadrons at Chemulpo Bay and Ulsan — victories that allowed Japan to effectively dominate the Pacific.

https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-russian-navy-losses-against-ukraine-century-after-tsushima-2022-6

June 2, 2022

What does the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby know he isn't saying

I've read several articles from British papers where the Archbishop has said we should be more forgiving of Prince Andrew, that he is trying to make amends
My question is, "Amends for what?" He claims he did nothing wrong or improper.
I don't know about anyone else, but if I didn't do anything wrong I'm not going to make amends because there's nothing to make amends for.
So, I wish to know what Andrew is making amends for and what the Rev Welby knows about the details

One article from British tabloid about it. I know it's a day old, but I was busy yesterday

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-andrew-amends-archbishop-canterbury-b2091346.html

May 18, 2022

Congrats to the Women who won their primaries last night

According to Electoral-vote.com, in head-to-head matches between men and women, women won almost all of them

May 18, 2022

Trump endorsed Janice McGeachin loses by over 20% to Gov Brad Little in Idaho

It's not been a great night for the far right in general and "Conservatives for Idaho" the far right, racist, white-nationalist organization specifically in Idaho

They not only endorsed Trump Backed Loser Mc Geachin. They also endorsed Priscilla Giddings for Lt Gov (78% counted, she trails by 14%), U.S. Senator Brenda Bourn (3rd place 56% behind Crapo), Sec of State Dorothy Moon (trails by 7%), Ed Sec Branden "microschools will cure what ails us" Durst (trails by 10), U.S. House 2 candidate Bryan Smith losing by 20%.

At this point, the only successes they've had are Raul Labrador for Atty General and Russ Fulcher (running unopposed).
It appears a terrible night for Idaho's far reich.

Not thrilled will Gov Little or Sen Crapo, but they're better than the CfI backed candidates, and this is Idaho -- Republicans are going to win in Nov

Idaho Primaries

https://www.ktvb.com/elections

May 16, 2022

Margaret Thatcher statue egged within hours of going up in home town of Grantham

A statue of Margaret Thatcher was egged less than two hours after being installed in her home town of Grantham.

Onlookers voiced their disapproval of the new memorial to the divisive former prime minister, with several motorists booing loudly as they drove past. One man shouted “Tear it down” while another said “This is no good for Grantham, is it?”

The £300,000 statue was lowered into place in the Lincolnshire town on Sunday, after plans to put it in Parliament Square in London were opposed because of fears it would be vandalised.

In Grantham it was decided that the statue should be placed on a 10ft granite plinth, with a CCTV camera installed directly opposite in an attempt to deter vandals.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/margaret-thatcher-statue-grantham-egg-vandal-b2079392.html

Guess the CCTV didn't deter anyone


Wish I had been there

May 12, 2022

Robin Parkinson death: 'Allo! 'Allo! star and Button Moon narrator dies aged 92

Actor Robin Parkinson, best known for his roles as the voice of Button Moon and Monsieur Leclerc in the 1980s sitcom ’Allo! ’Allo!, has died at the age of 92.

A statement released on Tuesday night said he died on 7 May “with his wife and daughters by his side”.

Parkinson’s acting career spanned more than four decades and saw him perform in film, TV and theatre.

His biggest role was in ’Allo! ’Allo!, in which he appeared from series seven to nine after the death of the original Ernest Leclerc, Derek Royle.

To many, he was best known as the narrator of the children’s show Button Moon, which ran from 1980 to 1988.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/robin-parkinson-death-allo-age-b2076343.html