by Oui
Sun Dec 5th, 2021 at 01:35:40 PM EST
How high-level discussions about Pegasus spyware can lead to an unexpected order for fighter planes ... Labour PM Tony Blair suffered the same sickness with Saudi Arabia and the BAE Order of the Century.
by Frank Schnittger
Fri Dec 3rd, 2021 at 02:09:05 PM EST
Despite the best efforts of Lord Frost and the Tory party, there are growing signs that Northern Ireland is rejecting their polemics about the Protocol and coming to live with it as a fact of post-Brexit life. Although no one is happy with increased customs checks between Britain and Northern Ireland, there is a growing realization that Northern Ireland's unfettered access to the Single Market offers it a unique opportunity within the UK to mitigate the worst effects of Brexit.
Northern Ireland hasn't suffered the goods shortages seen in Britain, trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland is booming, and British statistics have now belatedly confirmed that the Northern Ireland economy is recovering faster than Scotland or Wales. But the most remarkable change is the U-Turn currently being performed by DUP Leader, Jeffrey Donaldson.
by Oui
Fri Dec 3rd, 2021 at 10:49:18 AM EST
Introduction through my last post ...
Covid Deaths: Dutch Lack of Decision Makers
Many countries have started booster jabs by early September, not the Dutch. In November 3,500 excess deaths, funeral parlors can barely handle the numbers. In the province of Limburg excess deaths reached 53%, the Carnival province has the worst rate of Covid-19 infections. Dutch policy in The Hague gives priority to individual "freedom", respects rightwing anti-vaxxers and sacrifices the elderly. In 40% of the nursing homes, the Delta variant ravages the population. The anti-vaxxers makes it clear by statements the want "quality" of life and will not heed the mitigation rules in society. The anonymous killers.
Translation:
Do I want to add years to my life or add life to my years?
Continued below the fold ...
by gmoke
Thu Dec 2nd, 2021 at 06:25:23 PM EST
I wonder how many people remember the New Alchemy Institute which, from 1969 to 1991, experimented with wind power, solar power, intensive regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, and many other ideas now becoming big business and a way out of climate chaos. I first visited with them around 1974, am still in contact with some of the old New Alchies today, and continue to believe their vision of the world is the way to an ecologically restorative future.
One of the founders is Bill McLarney who 40 years ago started a Costa Rican version of New Alchemy, ANAI (http://www.anaicostarica.org), to integrate nature conservation and sustainable development in the Talamanca region. I've supported his work there with a small annual donation for most of that time and, in return, get a short annual report. This year's brought more than a smile to my face and demands to be shared:
"With the indispensable assistance of Bioeducators, we have finally completed a long deferred project to produce laminated sheets with photos of almost all of the 50 species of freshwater fish we have identified from the La Amistad Caribe watersheds, with scientific names plus common names in Spanish, English, Bribri, Naso and Ngobe. Getting the indigenous names right was a challenge which required sending our indigenous Bioeducators on errands to remote villages to visit 'old timers' who were thoroughly familiar with the names of the fish in their native languages, and putting them together with younger people fluent in the recently created written forms of the four languages. Thus a byproduct of our biologically focused work was to fortify the indigenous cultures....
"For many years, ANAI's signature program was organic agroforestry. Over the years, and in keeping with our philosophy of maximizing local responsibility and involvement, this responsibility has been passed to APPTA (Talamanca Small Producers' Association) (https:/www.appta.org/index.php/en) which has become the world's largest organic farmers' cooperative. ANAI's most recent contribution to APPTA's success has been in securing funding to obtain and install three industrial driers, which tremendously increases their capacity to purchase, process and market local organic farm products....
"As what was once merely ANAI's vision of how things should be matures, we are ever more forcefully reminded of the links between terrestrial, aquatic and marine biodiversity, and the crucial role organic agroforestry plantations on small farms can play in reducing fragmentation and protecting landscape integrity. Toward this end, we are planning to initiate a process of mapping all existing forested corridors, and gaps, in our service area extending from the Rio Estrella watershed in Costa Rica to Almirante Bay in Panama, and from the cost to the Continental Divide...
"All of the activities reported here - strengthening old and creating new organic agroforestry farms, fomenting the community Water Observatories movement, advocation for the needs of migratory fish - play into this vision."
ANAI can always use donations at https:/www.anaicostarica.org/donate.html
The New Alchemy land in Hatchville, MA on Cape Cod is still continuing the vision in different ways, with some of the original New Alchies, as you can see at https:newalchemists.net
John Todd, another of the founders and a pioneering ecological designer, is still working (one of his latest projects is on greening the Sinai Peninsula) through https:/www.toddecological.com
by Oui
Wed Dec 1st, 2021 at 08:48:11 PM EST
Earlier diary …
NATO's Battleground Ukraine v. Russia
Blinken and NATO: Let's Talk Russia and Ukraine
If the EU and Old Europe won't comply, the US Treasury has means to enforce our will.
by Oui
Tue Nov 30th, 2021 at 10:35:37 AM EST
From my earlier posts here ...
WHO Alert for High Risk Omicron Variant
by Oui
Sun Nov 28th, 2021 at 09:18:23 AM EST
The EU should support the Social Democrat candidate Ms Xiomara Castro de Zelaya should she be elected.
by Oui
Sun Nov 28th, 2021 at 12:21:12 AM EST
Interview Marcel Levi
by Oui
Fri Nov 26th, 2021 at 12:08:16 PM EST
How best to illustrate inequality and failure to find means to comfort the less fortunate. Western world often use austerity measures to cut costs of healthcare and timely care for mental illness. Modern society and especially the Corona pandemic illustrates how poorly prepared governments are and their focus is on more economic growth at whatever cost for the great majority.
Moving from one crisis to the next, having difficulty to unite a country which extends on the international level to set common goals. Sustainability and transition to Green Energy is a stop gap policy when there is no other option. Decision making comes too late and does not take into account a long term vision. Perhaps democracy fails to meet the challenges of today.
by fjallstrom
Fri Nov 26th, 2021 at 08:33:29 AM EST
Swedish PM Löfven resigned earlier this fall, paving the way for the Social Democrats to enter next years election with a newly appointed PM.
Those with good memories remember that this summer Löfven was voted out and then returned as PM.
His successor, current finance minister Magdalena Andersson was today voted in and then resigned a few hours later. She will be back though.
Frontpaged - Bernard
by Oui
Tue Nov 23rd, 2021 at 12:11:22 PM EST
Wisdom outsourced to a blinded computer ... it's a Government scam, pure criminality! Really makes me mad! 😡
We want more than "symbolic" gestures in response to discriminatory algorithms | EDRI - Feb. 2021 |
by Oui
Sun Nov 21st, 2021 at 06:07:54 PM EST
Gen. Austin: Pentagon Ready for War on Iran
US Nuclear tipped bomber flies over Middle East protected by Israeli fighter jets ...
by Oui
Fri Nov 19th, 2021 at 09:58:02 PM EST
Police have fired warning shots which is very, very unusual in The Netherlands. When dialogue in Parliament by rightwing extremists emulating Trump rhetoric - see clown Thierry Baudet.
by Oui
Tue Nov 16th, 2021 at 12:28:41 PM EST
The "intelligent' Dutch citizens not following advise given by political leader Mark Rutte ... the leader of a one year old caretaker government had followed a zig-zag policy of herd immunity ... easing most restrictions too early ... more concerned about political consequences than health issues of the tens of thousands stricken by the SARS CoV-2 illness. The death rate is increasing as Mark Rutte refuses to take responsibility sometimes hiding behind science, afterwards the virologists resign because Rutte doesn't follow advise of the broad WOT Group (British SAGE equivalent).
The very high trust in his policy has collapsed as the Dutch are facing their fourth or fifth spike in infections ... taking decisions late as the numbers rise exponentially.
Furthermore, there is very poor adherence to the mitigation rules required to lower the R number which has been above 1.2 for many consecutive weeks. Dumb, dumber, dumbest ... Trump, Johnson and Rutte in a dead heat. His RIVM leading scientist should have been given the pink slip over a year ago.
What the Dutch do best from colonial times and piracy, to Spanish Revolt, revolution of the sixties and today cheating to benefit fun and partying ...
by gmoke
Sun Nov 14th, 2021 at 03:22:59 PM EST
Living the Noom - near net zero energy buildings with vertical forests
https:/www.yankodesign.com/2021/07/22/breathtaking-residential-building-in-mexico-comes-with-its-ow
n-vertical-forest-and-solar-panels-on-its-terrace
El Terreno - a community garden that is more community than simply garden in Mexico City
https:/en.vertebral.mx/elterreno
https:inhabitat.com/urban-gardens-dont-get-much-greener-than-el-terreno
Regenerative Farm Map from Regeneration Canada
https:/regenerationcanada.org/en/map
Editorial Comment: There are examples here that may apply to urban and "advanced" agriculture.
A garden in the shadow of 9/11
https:/www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/aug/28/a-garden-at-ground-zero-what-i-learned-growing-
an-oasis-in-the-shadow-of-911
"The world's first farmscraper," to be built in Shenzhen, China
51-story Jian Mu Tower will contain a large-scale farm system producing crops to feed 40,000 people per year, as well as offices, a supermarket, and a food court
https:www.agritecture.com/blog/2021/9/10/worlds-first-farmscraper-unveiled-by-carlo-ratti-associat
i-in-shenzhen
Milan will plant 3 million trees in the city, one for each resident
https:forestami.org/en
https:/www.treehugger.com/milan-urban-forestry-greening-project-5201037
Deep Medicine Circle practices "Farming as Medicine" on a one acre rooftop farm in Oakland, CA
https:www.deepmedicinecircle.org/our-work.html
https:donorbox.org/rooftop-greenhouse
Santa Clara, CA Agrihood, a development with 361 housing units and its own farm
http://www.agrihood-sc.com/plant-your-own-farm/
https:cleantechnica.com/2021/09/24/this-san-francisco-housing-development-comes-with-its-own-farm
10 great city projects for Nature, from The Guardian
https:/www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/01/10-great-city-projects-for-nature-from-vertical-
forests-to-pocket-farms-aoe
Vertical farms proposed as a replacement for Berlin autobahn
https:www.morgenfarm.berlin/home-en
https:inhabitat.com/morgenfarm-proposes-vertical-farms-to-replace-berlins-autobahn
Baltimore's first "agrihood"
https:/www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-fe-agrihood-urban-farm-park-heights-20210924-xnonds3wuzebld
xrfyj6ooqxgy-story.html
hat tip Robin Bergman
Robin Wood - an urban block made of wood which will be net zero energy in construction and operation, including a micro-forest
https:marckoehler.com/project/robin-wood-making-an-island-together
https:/inhabitat.com/sustainable-and-affordable-urban-block-coming-to-amsterdam
PS: On November 13, 2021, the city of Boston named a square in the South End neighborhood and a day in honor of Mel King, one of the main forces in the revival of local agriculture and the rebirth of urban agriculture in Boston, Massachusetts, USAmerica, and the world. Congratulations to my mentor and friend, Mel King.
by Oui
Sun Nov 14th, 2021 at 11:55:23 AM EST
Tories, Brexit All About Sleaze and Lies ...
by Oui
Fri Nov 12th, 2021 at 03:04:57 PM EST
It takes courage in leadership which has been universally lacking during the SARS CoV-02 pandemic since end of 2019. The choice between survival or watching the slow, agonizing death of nations and its people across the globe.
by Frank Schnittger
Thu Nov 11th, 2021 at 05:14:24 PM EST
Over the years I have made a point of reading Northern Ireland unionist political commentators in order to get a sense of what they are about. The Slugger O'Toole website is a good indicator of non-aligned or moderate unionist thinking - mostly sympathetic to the Alliance party - and Newton Emerson and Alex Kane are unionists linked to the Ulster Unionist party which ran Northern Ireland prior to the ascendency of the Paisleyite DUP. I have not yet found a politically literate commentator linked to the DUP.
Unionism in Northern Ireland is an evolving political force slowly coming to terms with the fact that they can no longer command a majority of the electorate even if that majority is still broadly in favour of the status quo union with Britain. There are many strands to unionism, from the fundamentalist protestant Free Presbyterians of the the DUP to the agnostic liberals of the Alliance Party who just want Northern Ireland to like any other part of the UK.
But they all seem to think that the world revolves around unionists and what they want and feel they need, and find it hard to comprehend that the world around N. Ireland has changed and might have other priorities. Thus the debate around the Protocol within unionism has been all about retaining as much as possible of the free trade they had with Britain while also retaining full access to the Single market. Some even think that the Boris Johnson regime shares their concerns.
by Oui
Mon Nov 8th, 2021 at 11:30:19 PM EST
[Long update below the fold … Zelensky and US policy shaped under two presidents]
Conflict zone Eastern Front: expect more war propaganda the coming days, weeks ...
