Open Thread – January 2024

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318 Responses to Open Thread – January 2024

  1. kaysee kaysee says:

    The Fall of the House of Usher

    When life hands you lemons

    A short scene about life giving us lemons from The Fall of the House of Usher Episode 3 talking about how opportunities should be made well-off, with a rather extra addition of more realistic concepts of what people do with lemons these days. Bold statement to be made of something we all fall for on a daily basis. Marketing has always been part of business however the question is, where do we draw the line? Perhaps in this era where information is so accessible, we may need to question what is true, false, real, fake or as the trend says, question the matrix? Spotless acting though. Goosebumps.


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  2. kaysee kaysee says:

    2018
    Irish dance
    Walking On Stones

    Song and Dance Ensemble named after VS Lokteva
    Concert Hall named after P.I. Tchaikovsky


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  3. kaysee kaysee says:

    Moana Meets the Ocean

    Moana’s first encounter with the ocean.

    Like today, our first encounter with 2024. ^.^


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  4. kaysee kaysee says:

    Joe Hisaishi
    One Summer’s Day

    From the comments:

    I really have no words to describe how beautiful this is.
    I am a 12-year-old girl, since I was very little I have loved Studio Ghibli and drawing, and this is simply beautiful, I started playing the piano relatively recently and I really want to learn this and other great songs by Joe Hisaishi, I am in love with his music, seriously, this music makes my mind travel to other worlds where magic exists… Incredible.
    .

    I swear music like this is what actually makes people cry during movies
    .

    One summer’s day in 2003, 8 year old me sat down and watched this masterpiece for the first time. I amazed me. Scared me. Hit me deeply in the feels. Made me feel like I was in another world myself.
    .

    The range of emotions that this song makes me feel within the span of four minutes is incredible.
    .

    Makes me feel like I’m missing someone that I never met before and missing a place that I’m supposed to be at. Even something I’m supposed to know but I don’t.


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  5. kaysee kaysee says:

    World Records

    Howzatt?????

    Magician Alwin has been performing for 22 years and finally achieved his dream of performing the most stage illusions in three minutes


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  6. kaysee kaysee says:

    🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕 ┈┈┈┈ 🎕
    The Days of Christmas

    Ūnus
    Today, 1 January, is the Octave Day of Christmas. In the Catholic Church, this day is observed as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
    .

    Duo
    Reflections on Mary: Theotokos
    .

    Trēs
    Is it still Christmas?
    The octave, the 12 days, and what you need to know

    Christmas is December 25, right? Or maybe it’s an eight-day celebration — something called an “octave?” But aren’t there 12 days of Christmas?


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  7. kaysee kaysee says:

    For today

    and may be

    for every day

    of this year…..

    this Ponderable


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  8. mh says:

    Courier Mail

    QLD Weather News
    571mm falls, motorway access cut, new storm warning as flooding grips southeast

    The southeast has been smashed by rainfall up to 571mm and access to the Pacific Motorway has been cut in two places as huge rainfall creates another wild weather emergency.

    Kudos to the BOM putting out the weather warning yesterday afternoon advising the Gold Coast and hinterland could get hit with large rainfall totals due to the current weather set up.


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  9. Old bloke says:

    John Pilger has gone to meet his maker.

    RIP.


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  10. Old bloke says:

    How can American Christians sit quietly as their government sends bombs to kill Moslems and Christians alike in Gaza.

    This is not dissimilar to their nine year silence as they send artillery shells to kill the Orthodox Christians in eastern Ukraine, a practice which still continues to this day.


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  11. mh says:

    How can American Christians sit quietly as their government sends bombs to kill Moslems and Christians alike in Gaza.

    Chosen Ones. Or something.

    MAGA Has Mask Off Moment When Asked About Israel & Ukraine

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FNYEQhXij0


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  12. mh says:

    Anti-Semite!

    Khawaja set to be given all clear to wear pro-peace sticker in BBL

    Usman Khawaja is set to be allowed to wear his pro-peace dove sticker on his shoe in the Big Bash League should he line up again for the Brisbane Heat.


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  13. mh says:

    Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸
    @jacksonhinklle
    🚨🇮🇱 Why do ISRAELI soldiers think it’s funny/normal to take over a house and pose for photos in a Palestinian child’s bed??

    https://x.com/jacksonhinklle/status/1741623032773488935?s=20


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  14. mh says:

    Bernie Sanders
    @SenSanders
    I have tested positive for Covid. My symptoms are minimal and I will continue to work from home in Vermont while isolating in accordance with CDC guidance. I am glad to be fully up to date with the vaccine.
    1:29 AM · Dec 29, 2023
    ·11.1M Views


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  15. mh says:

    Courier Paywall

    Aussie soldier killed in Gaza war zone

    An Australian soldier has died while fighting Hamas militants with the Israeli Defense Force.


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  16. kaysee kaysee says:

    (And that was my short break from posting about any of the major topics for 2 whole days. It was hard to keep off the BIG topics and just take a break with posting the non-political stuff.)
    …………………

    The Great Reset

    1/

    16 November 2023
    UN & Bill Gates Launch “50in5” Global Digital Infrastructure Plans

    Last week the United Nations Development Program officially launched their new initiative promoting “Digital Public Infrastructure” (DPI) around the world.

    The “50in5” program – so-called because it aims to introduce DPI in fifty countries in the next five years – began with a live-streamed event on November 8th.

    Digital public infrastructure (DPI) – which refers to a secure and interoperable network of components that include digital payments, ID, and data exchange systems.

    The article writer reminds us:

    As the world focuses on Hamas and Israel, the global re-organization phase of the Great Reset is just quietly going about its business. Building a net and waiting to tighten it.


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  17. kaysee kaysee says:

    2/
    There are so many topics that we have to keep track off lest the WEF, Great Resetters, UN, WHO and their pals hope we are busy elsewhere.There are many concerns and happenings to discuss and share. Old and new ones in 2023.

    Looking ahead in to 2024, we are going to be dealing with more of the same as well as the unexpected ones that pop up. Some topics that I can think of which include the New World Order/Great Reset:

    – Climate change
    – Covid – pandemics, viruses, jabs, treaties, masks etc
    – Wokeism, BLMism, Diversity, Inclusivity etc
    – Digital currency, Digital ID
    – Ongoing wars around the world
    – Sneaky methods to implement WEF goals
    – Restrictions on Free Speech
    – Overseas Elections (in some countries, including the US)

    We have issues in Australia
    – Cost of living
    – Interest rates, economy, inflation
    – Housing issues
    – Immigration issues

    – Plus daily news topics

    There’s also:
    – Non-political topics
    – Toons
    – Entertainment
    – Personal anecdotes, opinions, rants.

    It is an Open Thread so it is any other topic
    Plus, Plus, Plus

    There are so many issues to talk about and discuss. The past 3 months have been taken up with the Gaza conflict. It is very important, but we can’t take our eyes off the other matters.

    I have been trying to post on Covid, Climate, Digital ID and other issues to balance out the discussion and information. It would be great if there were others to pick up some of the above topics as there is so much to post on.

    I am going to cut down on the comments re the Gaza war, unless there is something important, and divert to other news items. The GOP Primaries kick off this month. I want to get back to the truth about some of the candidates.

    We have to work together to expose and defeat Them.

    For that, we need to focus on the truth and facts.
    And unite.


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  18. kaysee kaysee says:

    How can American Christians sit quietly as their government sends bombs to kill Moslems and Christians alike in Gaza.

    It’s so complicated. (h/t Tadhg Hickey)

    Or really quite simple.

    1/ Either these Christians do not know the truth because they have allowed themselves to be brainwashed into believing that the existence of Israel is connected to their entrance into heaven. The brainwashing started with some preacher and has been continued by their governments, MSM, Zionists. Instead of being called “Christian Zionists” they should be called “Scofield Zionists”.

    2/ Or they know the truth but still persist in their support for the Zionists.

    There are some Christians who think that calling out the murder of innocent civilians in Gaza means that one is automatically pro-Hamas and pro-Islamic terrorists. It is an ignorant, infantile grouping. According to them:

    – You either support the Zionists (which makes you the good guys)
    or
    – if you don’t support them it means you are a Hamas supporter (thus, you are with the bad guys.)

    I don’t think anyone reading this blog can claim ignorance of the facts. For the past 3 months we have provided a ton of information and facts on this topic with links to sources.


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  19. kaysee kaysee says:

    There are two categories of war and violent killings taking place in the world. In both cases, the common group being targeted is Christians.

    1/ Islamists (via their jihadis) killing Christians around the world.

    2/ Zionists (via Israel) killing Christians and Muslims in Gaza

    Read much in the media about these incidents?
    Going on for 14 years?

    1a/
    World looks other way as Christians ‘killed for sport by jihadists’ in Nigeria

    Rights group estimates 50,000 Christians in West African nation have been killed since 2009
    .

    1b/
    Report warns 50,000 Christians killed in Nigeria over last 14 years


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  20. kaysee kaysee says:

    2/
    Jesus, Gaza, and the Murder of Useless People

    Mathew and Luke’s birth narratives are replicated again and again throughout history, presently and most conspicuously in Gaza and the West Bank, as the massacre of the innocents continues under today’s King Herod, Benjamin Netanyahu, the client king of Washington, not Rome, while U.S. politicians, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who claims to be a defender of children and opposed to U.S. war policies, support this genocide with rhetorical justifications that the Trappist monk Thomas Merton called the unspeakable:


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  21. kaysee kaysee says:

    I was going to add links to two articles in a comment here, but then decided that they would serve better as a post.

    The post is here.


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  22. mh says:

    Haaretz | Israel News

    Israel-Hamas War Day 88 | Israel to Fight South African Charges of ‘Genocide’ in International Court of Justice

    Great! 🍿🍿🍿


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  23. mh says:

    There are two categories of war and violent killings taking place in the world. In both cases, the common group being targeted is Christians.

    1/ Islamists (via their jihadis) killing Christians around the world.

    2/ Zionists (via Israel) killing Christians and Muslims in Gaza

    Most of the wars the past few decades are Zionist wars – the targets are nations that Israel sees as adversaries.
    Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya. The United States

    Iran vs Iraq war is still a Zionist war; Kissinger quipped ‘It’s a pity both sides can’t lose’. That was exactly the intention, weaken both of these nations that are adversarial towards Israel. Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (R) greets Donald Rumsfeld


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  24. mh says:

    Oops

    Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya. The United States


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  25. mh says:

    Updated 1:11 PM AEST, December 30, 2023
    Share

    WASHINGTON (AP) — For the second time this month the Biden administration is bypassing Congress to approve an emergency weapons sale to Israel as Israel continues to prosecute its war against Hamas in Gaza under increasing international criticism.

    The State Department said Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination covering a $147.5 million sale for equipment, including fuses, charges and primers, that is needed to make the 155 mm shells that Israel has already purchased function.

    “Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” the department said.

    ***

    Ben Shapiro then: “Nope, nope, Israel can take care of herself.”

    Ben Shapiro now: “It is very important that the United States provide material aide to Israel…”

    https://x.com/groypergreen07/status/1713717919639859212?s=20


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  26. mh says:

    Genocidal intent: the case against Israel

    The Grayzone
    328K subscribers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKq3K1zc6eg


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  27. Admin Admin says:

    Hello All. Happy New Year.

    Just FYI. Going to be some backend updates to the blog during this week & next. Should not affect posting. You can all continue as usual. Any problems let me know.


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  28. Admin Admin says:

    BTW, this blog continues here for the ones who want a blogsite where they are able to post. Do you find the time/effort that you spend on the blog worth the reward for you personally? If yes, the blog is here as a Free Speech site.

    For the knowledge of our posters, just so you know. The recent check of the month for site traffic stats showed we have hundreds of blog visitors. This is not blog views. It is the number of those who come to the blog regularly and it does not include bots. For a small blog that is a surprising number of people who are lurking.


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  29. kaysee kaysee says:

    1/
    There are two major gaslighting subjects that have been around for some time but really took off last year and will continue into this year. Let’s call it: Gaslighting 2023-2024.

    There are many other topics also involving the same media control strategies, but what makes these two different is that they are targeting the group formerly known as Conservatives – now “conservatives”.

    a/ MAGA cultism
    Best explained by the refrain: Trump-is-god. It gathered steam last year and will continue this year because of the elections in Nov 2024.

    b/ Zionist ideology
    Pro-Israel stance. Defending the actions of Israel no matter what. The issue that has been simmering for decades came to a head last year with the 7 October Hamas attack. The retaliation has been on since October ’23 and continues this year.

    Much has been posted on this blog on the above topics. I have provided info on the 2024 US elections in detailed posts and comments with links and a wide-range of sources – MSM, alternative media, social media, left wing, right wing, conservative. My goal was to be as objective as possible.

    Similarly with the Zionism. In this case, most of the postings have been by mh and myself with contributions from a few others. Here again, some of the sources have been unexpected. Videos, interviews, articles from media commentators, reporters and the public providing their analysis and opinions. In some cases, there has been in-depth research and investigation before the material has been published or presented in the media.


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  30. Old bloke says:

    The Amur Tiger Center, a charity that studies and preserves the big cats in Russia, reported on its Telegram channel on Tuesday that an “automobile supposedly hit an Amur tiger,” and that the driver had fled the scene.

    I don’t blame the driver for fleeing the scene, I don’t think the tiger would have responded nicely had the driver gone to help the poor animal.


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  31. kaysee kaysee says:

    2/
    When so much of information is provided with evidence, proof and corroboration which authenticates it as genuine and factual, it would be hoped that readers would re-evaluate their decisions and opinions.

    But it finally comes down to the question: what are we seeking when we consume information that we come across? Is it a selective picking and choosing – like a cafeteria? Pick the bits that fit in with whatever is our ideology, whatever we want to believe, whatever fits in with the “current thing”?

    Or are we seekers of the truth? The facts?

    If there is evidence that proves what we thought to be true cannot really be true, are we willing to say that we got it wrong in the past and are prepared to shift from the fake to the true?

    How much does the TRUTH matter to us?

    Would we stand on the side of the truth even if everyone in the circle we belong to is supporting the other side?

    .

    (Memes/quotes use a few well-chosen words and images to get a message across. When I come across good ones, they make me stop, think, analyse, understand the point being made.
    Then I copy and save the memes.
    And share and re-share and re-re-share them.)


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  32. kaysee kaysee says:

    3/
    I am going to switch back to the US Election and focus mostly on that for a few weeks. Last month, I suggested a Catallaxy debate to discuss the subject on a proposition-opposition basis. I would be solo on one side and there could be one or a group on the other. We could take up a point-by-point debate so it would be a fact analysis rather than blind allegiance to person or ideology.

    Since no one has taken up the offer, I’ll have to carry on by myself.

    Most of my comments have included links to prove my points. But researching and posting links take up time. So if I have already provided links here, I am going to just list points. If it is something new, I’ll post links.

    If you want previous links, you can search back on my past comments and you will find them. But if you can’t and you want them, please don’t hesitate to ask. I will search them out and get them for you. I’m posting on this blog as a truth seeker and sharer. If any of you are also truth seekers, I’m happy to get the info for you.


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  33. mh says:

    … I don’t think the tiger would have responded nicely had the driver gone to help the poor animal.

    Sorry mate, I didn’t see you.

    In early December, an Amur tiger mauled an elderly man to death in Khabarovsk Region. It had reportedly first attacked a dog and dragged it away to a nearby forest. Its owner apparently followed the predator, only to find his pet’s remains and fall prey to the tiger himself, Mash media outlet reported at the time

    There’s a lesson there.


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  34. mh says:

    Haaretz
    8:06 AM
    Likud MK: Today everyone says, ‘it is clear that all Gazans must be destroyed’

    Likud MK Moshe Saada said, on Tuesday in an interview with Channel 14, the right was correct all along as the call to “destroy” the residents of Gaza has become widespread in recent times.

    Not genocidal intent. Israel is just going to destroy them all.


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  35. kaysee kaysee says:

    Last week I posted this related to the FBI.

    Conservatives have watched for years the FBI in the US doing the bidding of the Dems and targeting those on the right – Republicans, Conservatives, Christians.

    Trump has criticised the FBI. The Maga influencers have been critical and attacked the FBI, its request for new funding and the republicans who voted for this funding.

    Then, out of the blue, the Maga god, posts a message supporting the FBI and a new and spectacular building for them.

    What happened next? Maga world went quiet. NO response. The Charlie Kirk’s, Don Jrs and Laura Loomers went zippity zip quiet. I read a post from someone on twitter that the orders had been sent out by the HQ telling the senior influencers to not say anything.

    Meanwhile, some of the rank and file Magadonians were doing what they always do. Instead of facing the fact that their god is wrong and unreliable, they will twist themselves into pretzels and still insist that he is right and find some way to prove that 2 + 3 is not = 5 but is whatever their god said it was.

    Drain the swamp? So many promises. Nothing will get done.
    What does he believe in? It changes with the weather.
    Donald Trump is about Donald Trump. Nothing or no one else matters.

    But Maga still think he is the one who is going to save America in the next four years.
    And make excuses for why he didn’t do it between 2017-2020

    FBI-1
    .

    FBI-2


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  36. kaysee kaysee says:

    Chosen Ones. Or something.

    MAGA Has Mask Off Moment When Asked About Israel & Ukraine

    No, they are not Dem voters. These are GOP voters.

    Is there any hope for America if they turn out to be the majority voters at the GOP Primaries?

    1/
    MAGA Asked Who Jesus Would Vote For in 2024,
    The Answer Won’t Surprise You But The Reasons Might
    .

    2/
    Woman at Trump rally in IA :
    “He’s a Godly man. He’s working for God.
    .

    3/
    Magadonians
    .


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  37. kaysee kaysee says:

    Ivor Cummins

    Covid was an utter scam, and anyone who still believes otherwise is a propagandized moron.

    Explained simply in 4 minutes flat:


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  38. kaysee kaysee says:

    WHO vaccine consultant says Pfizer mRNA jabs ‘are not safe for mass immunisation’

    Gabriel Oon is a retired medical professor, World Health Organisation vaccine consultant and founding President of the Singapore Society of Oncology.


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  39. Old bloke says:

    Brian Berletic laying out the game plan for the coming USA vs. Iran war.

    Israel’s Incursion into Gaza Continues as US Seeks Wider War with Iran – 39 mins.


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  40. mh says:

    Brian Berletic laying out the game plan for the coming USA vs. Iran war.

    Israel’s Incursion into Gaza Continues as US Seeks Wider War with Iran – 39 mins.

    Brian sees Israel as a colonial outpost of the USA.
    I no longer see it that way, and I think Brian overplays this point. The reality most likely is the United States has been captured by Zionists. We see the reality in stories out of America every single day. Yesterday it was the Jewish lobby getting the Harvard President removed.

    Israel led President Trump by the nose, getting him to order the drone strike on Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
    Today the Zionists are attempting to lead the US into war with Iran with this strike:

    Dozens killed as explosions rock memorial for slain Iranian general – media

    Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike on this day in 2020

    https://www.rt.com/news/590074-iran-soleimani-memorial-blasts/


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  41. mh says:

    Ben Samuels, Reuters
    5:51 AM
    Int’l Court of Justice schedules public hearings in Gaza genocide case for next week

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings in proceedings launched by South Africa against Israel over the Gaza war on Jan. 11 and 12, it said on Wednesday.


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