February 23, 2024

POTUS Biden Settlement Policy in Israel.

Note just made the same post prior to seeing this three.

The quotes are from TwitterX and don't have an account.

US senator applauds restoration of settlement policy

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has welcomed the Biden administration’s decision to reverse a Trump-era policy that refused to say that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law.

“I applaud @SecBlinken for taking this important step to reassert U.S. policy against illegal settlements and to advance a viable two-state future where Israelis and Palestinians can live with equal measures of dignity, rights and security,” the senator said in a social media post.

Former US ambassador to Israel hits out at Blinken over settlement policy

David Friedman, who served as ambassador to Israel under the Trump administration and earned a reputation for controversial acts underscoring his firm support for Israel, has slammed current Secretary of State Blinken’s remarks earlier today that Israeli settlements violate international law, a position the Trump administration did not take.

“Blinken is 100% wrong. I researched this for over a year with many State Department lawyers,” Friedman said in a social media post. “There is nothing illegal about Jews living in their biblical homeland.”

February 23, 2024

Gov't Mule ft Robert Randolph, Samantha Fish, Ron Holloway - Rambling Gambling Man - Island Exodus14

Several years past, Samantha Fish retired the "Fishcaster" as main guitar and replaced with a white Gibson SG that is a copy of Sister Rosetta Tharpe's white SG. Before that, I was ignorant of Sister Tharpe.

February 20, 2024

Alarming new warnings about Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Feb. 19, 2024
Nearly two years since the war in Ukraine began, the IAEA and Ukrainian officials are increasingly worried that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant -- the largest in Europe -- could be on the brink. NBC News' Richard Engel reports.

https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/alarming-new-warnings-about-russian-held-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-204507205815

February 4, 2024

The Bible is full of lies formulated and used to manipulate and dominate people by liars.

Not suggesting Bible should be burned but properly educated.

I've read several versions of the Bible plus many books Biblical history by authors like Pagels, Scholem, etc. Have literally 100s of scholarly and collector quality books.

Main use of organized religions is to "otherize" and justify mistreatment or unfair treatment of people who won't or cannot comply or are just in the way. Convenient tool for bullies and haters, however subtle. Convenient tool for politics. Why the USA has separation of church and state, the Founding Fathers were not perfect but got religion correct. Where one finds religions, one finds victims. Christianity and Islam for example.

January 18, 2024

Anyone recall Vaughn Meader and his parody of JFK - The First Family?

Abbott Vaughn Meader (March 20, 1936 – October 29, 2004) was an American comedian, impersonator, musician, and film actor.

Meader began his career as a musician but later found fame in the early 1960s after the release of the 1962 comedy record The First Family, written and produced by Bob Booker and Earle Doud. The album spoofed President John F. Kennedy – who was played by Meader – and became the fastest selling "pre-Beatles" album in history[1] and went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1963. At the peak of his popularity, he performed his Kennedy impersonation on television variety shows and in nightclubs around the country and was profiled in several magazines and newspapers.

Meader's career success came to an abrupt end after President Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963. Meader's TV and nightclub bookings were all canceled. Producer Bob Booker quickly pulled The First Family records from stores so as not to appear to be profiting from the deceased President. Meader attempted to take his career in a different direction by performing non-Kennedy-related comedy and released a new comedy album, Have Some Nuts!!!, in early 1964. However, sales for the album were low as public interest in Meader had waned. His career never rebounded as he was too closely associated with President Kennedy. Meader eventually returned to his native Maine where he resumed performing music and managed a pub.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaughn_Meader

&t=3s

January 12, 2024

Here is a rare treat about the Klamath River and how appeared 100 years ago.

California's Redwood Wonderland - Humboldt County; Thornbury, Sunset Press 1923

The entire book is some kind of wonderful. Two of the later chapters describe a trip by dugout canoe from Somes Bar (mouth of Salmon River where Humboldt County meets Siskiyou County to where the Klamath meets the Pacific Ocean at Requa in 1921. The road from the coast reached Orleans in 1921. Chapter XXIV (page 148) Down the Klamath and Chapter XXV (page 156) From Martin's Ferry to Requa (Martin's Ferry is the is the intersection with Bald Hills Road (still partially unpaved) that is the back entrance to Redwood National Park and traverses Lady Bird Johnson Grove prior to joining 101.

What is described is country that after less than 75 years of miners and other settlers and the impact of their activities, most that occurred when the area was only accessed by mule, horse, or foot. Thornbury drove to Orleans and went by trail to Somes Bar. The dams being removed are father up the Klamath in Siskiyou County and Oregon.

Here is the link to a pdf (page 149): https://archive.org/details/californiasredwo00thor/page/148/mode/2up

January 11, 2024

The largest US dam-removal effort to date has begun

The largest US dam-removal effort to date has begun
As US dams age, removal is always an option—and it can be done well.

ALKA TRIPATHY-LANG - 1/11/2024, 4:00 AM, Ars Technica

Wending its way from the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington’s Elwha River is now free. For about century, the Elwha and Gilnes Canyon Dams corralled these waters. Both have since been removed, and the restoration of the watershed has started.

The dam-removal project was the largest to date in the US—though it won’t hold that position for long. The Klamath River dam removal project has begun, with four of its six dams—J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2, and Iron Gate—set to be scuppered by the end of the year, and the drawdown started this week. (In fact, Copco No. 2 is already gone.)

Once the project is complete, the Klamath will run from Oregon to northwestern California largely unimpeded, allowing sediment, organic matter, and its restive waters to flow freely downriver while fish like salmon, trout, and other migratory species leap and wriggle their way upstream to spawn.

Article with maps and photos: https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/01/the-largest-us-dam-removal-effort-to-date-has-begun/

With one down, Klamath dam removal proceeds on schedule

By Juliet Grable (Jefferson Public Radio); July 16, 2023 6 a.m. Updated: July 18, 2023 11:17 a.m

Removing the Copco 2 Dam takes deconstruction crews one step closer to drawdowns of the remaining three reservoirs next January.

The first of four hydroelectric dams along the Oregon-California border has been removed from the main stem of the Klamath River. All that remains of the dam known as Copco 2 in Siskiyou County, California, is the headworks of a diversion tunnel adjacent to the now free-flowing river.

“As little as a month ago, it was a 35-foot concrete dam that spanned the entire width of the Klamath River right there,” says Mark Bransom, CEO for the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, which is overseeing dam removal.

From a nearby overlook of red volcanic rock, an excavator looks like a child’s toy as it chips away at the remnants of the concrete wall that was embedded in the river.

When complete, the overall project will be the biggest dam removal in U.S. history and will reopen 400 miles of fish habitat that was cut off for more than a century.

Deconstruction activities on Copco 2 will continue until September. Getting this first dam out of the way takes deconstruction crews one step closer to drawdowns of the remaining three reservoirs next January.

More article and photos at: https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/16/klamath-dam-removal-copco-2/

January 2, 2024

How one man's heroic efforts (with the support of his community) led to a lost dog making it home for New Years

Mr. Tom Lynch

Here is a heart-warming story local to me to start the new year. There are many photos and an extended story with comments at the two RHBB links. If one has FB, search for Willow Creek Bulletin Board, nearly the entire community was in on the rescue. Mr. Lynch is a real hero.

HOW ONE MAN’S HEROIC EFFORTS (WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS COMMUNITY) LED TO A LOST DOG MAKING IT HOME FOR THE NEW YEAR

Today on New Year’s Eve, a large white dog named Violet, who went missing on December 22nd from Hyampom, has been safely reunited with her owner, thanks to the tireless efforts of Trinity County resident Tony Lynch and the greater Willow Creek community.

To our delight, Tony told us this afternoon that our previous article on the lost dog written by reporter Lisa Music and published on Redheaded Blackbelt yesterday, played a crucial role in this happy ending. A reader recognized Violet from the story and contacted the owner, leading to an emotional reunion today.

Violet’s journey back home began when Tony heard her desperate howls early on Christmas Eve morning in the Burnt Ranch/Willow Creek area at the Cedar Flat Bridge near a rest stop on Highway 299.

Much more with photos and comments including Violet's owner.

https://kymkemp.com/2023/12/31/how-one-mans-heroic-efforts-with-the-support-of-his-community-led-to-a-lost-dog-making-it-home-for-the-new-year/

WILLOW CREEK COMMUNITY UNITES IN RACE AGAINST TIME TO RESCUE SCARED DOG ON HIGHWAY 299

In a race against time and traffic, the tight-knit community of Willow Creek has joined forces to rescue a large, white dog abandoned or lost near the Cedar Flat Bridge near a rest stop on Highway 299.

Local resident Tony Lynch, who lives above the rest area, heard the heartbreaking cries of the stranded canine on December 24th at 3 a.m. Despite the late hour and the chilly winter conditions, Lynch sprang into action, using his vehicle to alert passing drivers and protect the distressed dog from potential danger.

The crying dog, described as resembling a Pyrenees or Newfoundland, remained steadfast on the bridge, avoiding Tony’s attempts to lure it to safety, pacing anxiously, seemingly awaiting an owner who never arrived. Despite the urgency of the situation, no official agencies were initially involved, prompting Lynch to take matters into his own hands.

Caltrans, recognizing the imminent danger, stepped up by providing Lynch with safety flares, a safety vest, and the promise of caution signs to alert drivers. However, bureaucratic hurdles delayed the involvement of animal control, leaving the fate of the mournful dog hanging in the balance.

Undeterred, the Willow Creek community, spurred by Lynch’s efforts, took to social media platforms like Facebook to organize a grassroots rescue mission. The challenges of trapping the howling canine are elevated due to the dog’s massive size. Two Rivers Pet And Wildlife Welfare Services ingeniously fashioned panels into a makeshift trap in a desperate attempt to coax the frightened pup to safety.

Much more with photos, video, and comments:

https://kymkemp.com/2023/12/30/willow-creek-community-unites-in-race-against-time-to-rescue-scared-dog-on-highway-299/

December 11, 2023

DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES CALL FOR RESIGNATION OF PARTY CHAIR RUSTY HICKS

On Wednesday, December 6, nearly over two dozen California Democratic Party (CDP) delegates submitted formal charges (via a letter to the CDP Secretary Diana Love) calling for CDP Chair Rusty Hicks to resign. Hicks recently filed to run for California State Assembly District 2, but stated that he would keep his position as Party Chair.

“He is placing his ambition ahead of the interests of the party” the delegates’ letter stated, “making regular decisions for his campaign which are in direct conflict with the interests of the party.” As another delegate noted “Suggesting that the upcoming election doesn’t require his undivided attention is not only outrageous, it’s a clear dereliction of his duties as Party Chair. California is in a position to help take back the House from the Republicans holding the country hostage to their right wing agenda.”

Many of the two dozen delegates are Democrats within the 2nd Assembly District and some have claimed in private that Party Chair Hicks, who is a former head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, is “in a position to decide Party resources and actions while personally running for one of the seats that the party would spend money in.”

cut

STATEMENT OF CHARGES FOR THE REMOVAL OF STATE PARTY CHAIR RUSTY HICKS

California Democratic Party Bylaws State at Article III, Section 6: “An officer of This Committee may be removed from office for misconduct or neglect of duty in office…” The undersigned delegates seek removal of State Party Chair Rusty Hicks pursuant to Section 6.

Hicks is running for State Assembly, kicking off his campaign with no prior notice to the Party and no discussion with delegates as to the best path forward for the Party as it fights with a national coalition to save our Republic and the Democratic institutions. His distraction from Party duties and imminent departure during the election season will cause instability that could decide control of the House of Representatives.

Hicks has engaged in misconduct and neglect of duty by placing his ambition ahead of the interests of the Party. Taking on a second more-than-full-time job and possibly leaving his position during an election with the highest imaginable stakes is misconduct and the antithesis of any reasonable course of conduct. His duties running his own campaign do not leave sufficient time to serve the Party without neglect. Further, he is making regular decisions for his campaign which are in direct conflict with the interests of the Party.

https://kymkemp.com/2023/12/11/democratic-delegates-call-for-resignation-of-party-chair-rusty-hicks/

November 20, 2023

"Netanyahu, Gallant, Gantz to meet with families of hostages tomorrow" (today); also Israel War Cabinet identified.

Netanyahu, Gallant, Gantz to meet with families of hostages tomorrow

from The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-gallant-gantz-to-meet-with-families-of-hostages-tomorrow/

Gershom/GPO)

Members of the war cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are slated to meet tomorrow evening with family members of the some 240 people held hostage by terror groups in Gaza.

It is not clear how many family members will join the meeting, as the Prime Minister’s Office says that “representatives” of the families will take part.

In addition to Netanyahu, the war cabinet is staffed by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz. Observers on the cabinet include ministers Ron Dermer and Gadi Eisenkot and Shas chief MK Aryeh Deri.

More article at link

Israel War Cabinet

Benjamin Netanyahu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu

Benny Gantz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_Gantz

Yoav Gallant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoav_Gallant

Israel War Cabinet Observers

Ron Dermer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Dermer

Gadi Eizenkot https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadi_Eizenkot

Aryeh Deri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryeh_Deri