The WaPo editors come out swinging in defense of charter schools.
There’s nothing progressive about strangling charter schools
No, but there's a lot that's progressive about unquestioning fealty to public sector unions and to a belief in central government control.
Mayor deBlasio of NYC has a record on public school administration but fortunately he is not now nor will ever be more than an asterix candidate in the Presidential polls.
Among the less ludicrous candidates, Spartacus has some relevant history as former Mayor of Newark. In the Senate he has also voted on (and mostly for) the DC charter school program.
Chalkbeat and Dylan Scott of Vox have lots more. Let me bottom-line you - it's complicated. From Chalkbeat:
There’s no doubt the reforms were unpopular with many residents. Whether they improved outcomes for students has been the subject of debate.
A recent study led by Harvard researchers found that the changes led to an initial decline in student growth on state tests. By 2016, students’ annual gains in English, but not math, were higher than comparable students across New Jersey, the researchers found. Students’ scores have continued to rise, and graduation rates leapt nearly 20 percentage points since the overhaul began. Meanwhile, the city’s large charter-school networks — including North Star Academy, whose board Booker once sat on — rank among the top performing schools in the state.
Other indicators are less encouraging: About one in three students in Newark’s traditional schools were chronically absent last school year — about the same share as when the reforms began.
But whatever improvements the changes spurred have largely been overshadowed by the way they were enacted. Detailed in the book “The Prize” by journalist Dale Russakoff, the overhaul came to symbolize top-down reform imposed by ideological outsiders and highly paid consultants.
In recent years, Zuckerberg has reconsidered his approach to reform in Newark, saying he wants to “go in the opposite direction” by working more closely with community members and teachers unions.
Gentlejim,
Thanks for letting us know it is a real place!
We have been warmer than you (about 85 or so with a breeze) because we are south of the storm line. I am grateful we aren't having to contend with it.
The cool weather we have all had (and me until 2 days ago) reminds me of how when I was in college, the environmental geology class was pushing the new ice age, like it was a done deal.
Graduated, went to work, got married, raised my kids. When I moved back to Indy from Evansville in 1982, I went to the pool and my neighbor was talking about global warming, holes in the ozone, carbon, etc.
I thought I had lost my mind.
My daughter is sick of me pointing out how it has been so damn cold and that global warming is crap. I don't care.
I am convinced that the ice age thing was in operation until they realized they couldn't get control of the coal mines and oil companies.
So, they decided to push new energy and bankrupt the fossil fuel companies.
It's a complete scam.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 09:50 PM
In other news Liberman the moldaviam mailer is threatening to leave the coalition toppling Netanyahu's nascent govt
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 09:53 PM
Video at link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 09:55 PM
Anyone here trying out Parler, apparently a new challenger to Twitter?
Parscale is hinting that Trump will take his social media operation there.
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 09:57 PM
Another Bob,
Hadn't heard of it. I hope they have the sense to set up interactions and postings similar to Twitter.
I wil go wherever President Trump goes.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 10:01 PM
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-iran-socialmedia/fake-social-media-accounts-spread-pro-iran-anti-trump-messages-during-2018-election-fireeye-idUKKCN1SY26K
So now we have IRAN meddling in the election!
Things are going to get really interesting.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 10:02 PM
The Hill
Verified account @thehill
15m15 minutes ago
US identifies remains of more American soldiers from North Korea http://hill.cm/HFsYZ4o
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 10:04 PM
From earlier this evening:
Holly Bailey
Verified account @hollybdc
2h2 hours ago
Local TV in Kansas City reporting the National Weather Service has ordered them to use “the strongest language you can” to warn people of incoming tornado headed straight towards downtown KC
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 10:06 PM
Tornado alert cancelled at 9:30PM. Weather radar still shows some wicked t-storm cells. Mostly to the north and south of me.
I've seen a bunch of V-22 Ospreys since Friday flying in and out of Teterboro Airport. They make a distinctive noise, kinda like a very large helicopter. No big surprise, Memorial Day weekend is always Fleet Week in NYC.
Years ago when I was living in Leonia I used to see the really big twin-rotor helicopters with gunship outriders on either side.
Oops, spoke too soon, TV broke in with a new tornado warning south of me until 11:30PM.
Posted by: jim nj | May 28, 2019 at 10:08 PM
You NYC folks, tornadoes are probably new to you. Get to a basement if you have one.
Wait, what?
Seriously, I'm seeing reports of severe thunderstorms, but nothing about tornadoes.
Posted by: jimmyk | May 28, 2019 at 10:09 PM
OK, I think my famous people might underwhelm, tho as a child I shook the hands of both Reagan and WEB Jr. But my folks are all literary. John Updike, Norman Mailer, Saul Bellow, Seamus Heaney, Robert Penn Warren (served him his piece of 90th birthday cake), Margaret Atwood. I had to drive Atwood around shopping and she and her daughter went
Posted by: Catsmeat | May 28, 2019 at 10:11 PM
MM, beyond cosmetics it looks much like Twitter.
(Twitter temporarily locked me out today. I signed up this evening.)
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Any advice on high school reunions? My [redacted] is this weekend and I have mixed feelings. I'm not going to the main event, as I missed the sign-up deadline, but there's an open happy hour on Friday and I'm considering it...
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 10:13 PM
I am heading to bed.
Will check in as early as I can tomorrow.
Nytol!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | May 28, 2019 at 10:13 PM
Jimmyk,
the expired 9:30PM warning was south of both us. The 11:30PM warning is also south of us.
Posted by: jim nj | May 28, 2019 at 10:14 PM
...all nuts over the worst sort of madras shorts (sorry, Beasts). I was good at talking to these eminences--they hate talking about their work so with Updike for instance I had a great talk which began by my asking if he'd finished his Christmas shopping yet.
Posted by: Catsmeat | May 28, 2019 at 10:15 PM
How is Atwood like in person, I can imagine mailer and Updike.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 10:18 PM
They are adapting one of bellow's early works to the stage, I imagine this culture will definitively miss the point.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 10:21 PM
So I shouldn't wear madras shorts to my reunion this weekend, Catsmeat? ;)
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 10:21 PM
Played Little League Baseball with Marvin Isely on the White Sox Team in Englewood, NJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Isley
7th and 8th grade classmate and friend Of Vince Curatola, also roadie for "The Young Republic" band he played bass in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Curatola
Friend of Joey Travolta, John's older brother
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0871456/
Friend of Victor Noto, His uncle Lorre produced the "Fantasticks"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fantasticks
Friend of Rick Overton (not really, he was a little too weird for me, but Victor Noto was in the same mold)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Overton
Friend of Peter Clarke and his younger brother, Rhett
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Peters
Knew two of Dick Shawn's daughters, one married Joey Travolta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Shawn
Played softball with and friends of Tony Bennett's sons, Danny and Dae(gal)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bennett
Son Danny engineered his father's come-back, re-gaining the fame he had lost.
I've mentioned my friend and guitarist Enily Remler before
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Remler
Friend of Ed Marinaro, football player and actor, his family moved to New Nilford, before he started playing in high school
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Marinaro
Buddy Hackett's daughter's raccoon shat in the plenum of my Chevy Nova
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Hackett
My friend Victor Noto and I delivered the local paper to the Actor's Home in Englewood as 12 year olds, we sometimes stopped inside to talk to people, met some very interesting old-timers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lillian_Booth_Actors_Home
I'm sure I'm forgetting people. Englewood was home to a lot of Broadway people, mostly craftspeople.
Met and shook hands with either Mr, Jiggs or J. Fred Muggs, can't remember which chimp.
Posted by: jim nj | May 28, 2019 at 10:22 PM
Larry Kudlow and Leon Panetta both worked, at different times, when I worked at Schroeder. Interacted with both because they had market-data running on their PCs.
Posted by: jim nj | May 28, 2019 at 10:27 PM
'Buddy Hackett's daughter's raccoon shat in the plenum of my Chevy Nova'
And we have a winner!! :)
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 10:28 PM
Never go to one, Beasts. Yer welcome.
Posted by: lyle | May 28, 2019 at 10:32 PM
Anyways I did why try markets dipped If nothing has fundamentally changed
Figure that out and you'll be rolling in cash.
Posted by: Captain Hate | May 28, 2019 at 10:38 PM
To ask why, I left that last part out.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 10:40 PM
There are madras shorts and there are madras shorts, Beasts.
Narciso, all those writers were sweethearts, even Mailer oddly (he was reading from his Egyptian thing about mummification, not alluring), but he was gregarious enough. I forgot Tom Wolfe who was willing to sign a book "to squiggles for the memories" just in my say-so. But Atwood was a class A bitch.
Posted by: Catsmeat | May 28, 2019 at 10:40 PM
jim_nj
I am a big fan of Emily Remler.
She left us way too soon.
Posted by: Buckeye | May 28, 2019 at 10:41 PM
You know I often trust you, lyle, but I have to ask why...
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 10:42 PM
I somehow gathered that, I imagine a lot of mailer was false bravado I only really read harlots ghost among his main work his first was too of putting and I didng even attempt ancient evenings.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 10:44 PM
Gus @ 6:11
Speaking of a buffoon, once again the point goes completely over your head. Am I living rent free in your head? Just curious to know what triggers you to act like a dick.
Posted by: Tom R | May 28, 2019 at 10:46 PM
But Atwood was a class A bitch.
The Handmaid's Tale; what are the chances?
Catsmeat, I started Harry Crews' The Hawk is Dying. Like a hot knife through butter.
Posted by: Captain Hate | May 28, 2019 at 10:47 PM
Ah, CH, excellent. Will try to get to it myself.
Posted by: Catsmeat | May 28, 2019 at 10:51 PM
Unless there are people you actually would like to catch up with, don’t bother with the reunion Beasts.
I’ve not attended one of mine. Nobody I’m interested in that I couldn’t track down other ways if I wanted. The cute girls won’t be cute anymore.
I’ve moved on from those days.
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 10:55 PM
Lo what has happened to the thundering Jupiter of trollope tales
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nevena-bridgen-on-why-she-created-the-wives-of-westminster-blog-fppk8wxgn?utm_source=Silverpop&utm_campaign=RA_Engagement_Global&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Bridgen_Westminister
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:03 PM
Thanks, Another Bob. I'm not sure there's a particular person I'd like to see or not. Also not sure why it's intriguing...
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 11:09 PM
Nytol
Posted by: Beasts of England | May 28, 2019 at 11:18 PM
As some of you may know, Tucker has had a few spots on UFOs on and off over the time his show has been on the air. Well, this evening, Bret had both a main segment and an All Stars segment on the same.
Here is an article that Tom Rohan just wrote that was mentioned as part of the last segment.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-the-ufo-story-is-far-more-interesting-than-you-think
It looks to me like after 70 odd years, the powers that be are finally letting the cat out of the bag. And amazingly, nobody seems to give a shit.
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | May 28, 2019 at 11:22 PM
“Also not sure why it's intriguing...”
Long ago I was also intrigued. Natural to a degree, I think. I got over it.
High school wasn’t all that to me. If this gives you an idea, the last classmate I saw in-person was about two years after graduation. Saw him on a city bus at midnight when I was coming home from work. A bag with a big, open can of beer in one hand, a bag of open model glue in the other. If that gives you an idea.
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Clarice @ 9:32
Remember when Hillary was reported saying backstage at NBC that “ if that fucking bastard wins we are all going to hang”?
DawsonFields is referring to Comey starting the global money laundering investigations during the Obama administration that are starting to bear fruit worldwide. If Hillary had won, the assumption is Comey would have been fired and the investigations (which likely targeted the Clintons in some manner) ended. Trump winning threw the Democrats and Deep State a major curveball because that meant the global money laundering investigations would be allowed to continue. Not only was the Obama admin spying on Trump, they were spying on a lot of others as well. Spygate as almost everyone discusses it focuses on just the spying against Trump. Fields is saying there is a LOT more to their crimes than just that.
Posted by: Tom R | May 28, 2019 at 11:29 PM
No one freaks out if it’s banal.
Than it’s “Well everyone knows that!”.
Serious discussions can then follow.
Posted by: Melinda | May 28, 2019 at 11:31 PM
Glue and beer that cant end well.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:31 PM
“the powers that be are finally letting the cat out of the bag”
The “circus” part of “bread and circuses” ManTran?
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 11:31 PM
Aell we had majestic 12 which spawned the x files (which they ultimately ran into the ground) and men in black, so who are the sources for these strange craft.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:33 PM
A NXIVM update.
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-20190528-pjhequqt4bf7pmucsw2obohqlu-story.html
Posted by: Tom R | May 28, 2019 at 11:37 PM
Climbing Mt Everest has become a joke.
What do you call one dead lawyer at the top of Mt Everest?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 28, 2019 at 11:39 PM
GUS would never do anything without a rental agreement and inspection.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 28, 2019 at 11:42 PM
Theres a whole of what these craft are not, and little confirmation of what they are.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:48 PM
I never knew about the nexus between John McCain, Sam Bronfman and Myer Lansky before recently. Also Myer Lansky and Richard Nixon. He had a real Churchill problem.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 28, 2019 at 11:48 PM
Narc @11:48, correctomundo. I love the whole subject because no one has a clue, but everyone is driven to leap to some sort of conclusion, sort of like 4D Trump.
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | May 28, 2019 at 11:53 PM
Well his second wife's father probably had dealings with one or the other distillers as for meyer and Nixon that's quite a stretch. Now the bronfmans like the Kennedys became legit after prohibition.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:54 PM
One of the Nate Heller tales has forreatals death loosely connected to nazi flying machines after the war,
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 28, 2019 at 11:59 PM
Maybe one for Catsmeat.
What prevents universities from ending life tenure? Simple market forces?
Posted by: Another Bob | May 28, 2019 at 11:59 PM
Ok I wanted to make sure you didnt rely on a 2000 era liberty lobby piece by David Duke 'you didnt did ya' there are other accounts in other places
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:03 AM
Re our old friend mark o:
https://mobile.twitter.com/rogerlsimon/status/1133565478528536576
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:08 AM
God mercy on the man who doubts what he’s sure of, Beasts.
Posted by: lyle | May 29, 2019 at 12:11 AM
—have__
Posted by: lyle | May 29, 2019 at 12:11 AM
Speaking of authors and Buddy Hackett is anyone familiar with Erskine Caldwell or God’s Little Acre? I had the movie on in the background the other night and it was pretty awful. The cast was crazy though: Robert Ryan, Aldo Ray, Buddy Hackett, Vic Morrow, Jack Lord, Tina Louise and Michael Landon. That book must have sold on shock value alone for the most part.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 12:14 AM
The relationship between Nixon and Rebozo tightened in Cuba in the early ‘50s, according to historian Anthony Summers, when Nixon was gambling very heavily, and Bebe covered Nixon's losses – possibly as much as $50,000. Most of Nixon's gambling took place at Lansky's Hotel Nacional. Lansky rolled out the royal treatment for Nixon, who stayed in the Presidential Suite on the owner's tab.
As far back as 1951, Bebe Rebozo – the man who bailed out Nixon at the Nacional – had been involved with Lansky in illegal gambling rackets in parts of Miami, Hallandale, and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Former crime investigator Jack Clarke recently disclosed those operations, adding that Rebozo was pointed out to him, back then, as one of Lansky's people …When I checked the name with the Miami police, they said he was an entrepreneur and a gambler and that he was very close to Meyer.
https://mafia.fandom.com/wiki/Richard_Nixon
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 12:22 AM
My that's a strange film. And the source material is even stranger
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:22 AM
Yeah Anthony summers is about as reliable about Nixon as Michael wolff is today, you get me. Irony the black legend of mafia control that is presented in say Godfather part 2 is the reality in Cuba today, yes the national was a nice digs not the ratholr it's become today.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:26 AM
Sara Bronfman is married to a one Baset Igtet a native of Benghazi who was also running for president of Libya.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 12:31 AM
https://jalopnik.com/nissan-might-have-played-itself-1835060715
Some background on the possible FCA-Remault merger and Nissan's problems.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 12:32 AM
So, they decided to push new energy and bankrupt the fossil fuel companies.
I thought they have recently determined that fossils/dinosaurs don't have anything to do with oil/nat gas etc and that they are now considered regenerating resources and that peak oil and oil scarcity were now considered BS AGW crap...
or did I dream that?
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | May 29, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Ironically if it wasnt for kefauver, meyer wouldn't have jumped wholr hog that defined as 7 of the 42 casinos were owned or controlled by mobsters. Were that the factor Italy or southern France would be more libel than that tiny islans.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:33 AM
One thing is for sure, Rebozo was the first Valerie Jarrett. It remains to be seen if she drops six figures on a house for Sacha or Malia.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 12:39 AM
Probably closer to the mark stephanie
Ah igtet is indeed a piece of work he got himself appointed the Ntc of Tripoli has Qatari connection, has fraudulently represented himself as a pgilanthripist was tied to the formed presidents of Panama and Columbia how corrupt is Tripoli they bombed the house of representatives with little outcry
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:39 AM
https://petrowiki.org/Origin_of_petroleum
Organic or abiotic? The argument continues.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 12:40 AM
Naw rebozo is a much smaller player, small time businessman in the tire tetreading business that eventually did well enough to buy land.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:45 AM
This guy is who they accused Chalabi of being:.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/03/21/the-candidate-from-a-different-planet/
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:50 AM
And you see what they really haven't gone after him, until now oossibly.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:52 AM
https://www.inverse.com/article/56213-how-did-supernovae-make-ancient-humans-evolve-to-walk-on-two-legs
No idea if this is a valid theory, maybe worth pondering though.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 12:53 AM
The times puts all nxim stories either in the last page or right before the obits
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:54 AM
The reigning strategy re Libya seems to have been Iraq hold my beer, In fact effendi bronfman at one point probably ser up the conditions for hafters proteges demise like setting up a lunch meet for Hoffa with the nob boss of union city.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 12:59 AM
Probably an accident but when you start looking back...
https://nypost.com/2006/01/24/billionaires-wife-killed-bronfman-hit-by-cab/
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:00 AM
Thanks.. I was starting to question my sanity. I don't think conservatives should buy into using the phrase 'fossil fuels' if the origins are unknown as the libs push this to feed the fossil fuels bad narrative.
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | May 29, 2019 at 01:01 AM
Joe Lieberman’s firm was trying to put lipstick on a pig. Now he’s Turning Chinese, I really think so.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:02 AM
Headline with no link: I had an abortion. Why is none of your business.
Then why do you want to tell me about it?
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 01:03 AM
That happens all the time, like when Tony pilotto almost blasted harry Reid through the canopy of his sedan
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 01:03 AM
Libyan Chinese hey it's a living.
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 01:04 AM
Like the girl in a tube top: why are you looking at me?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:04 AM
Coal contains fossils, sometimes.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:06 AM
One can always do scooby do theme , but substitute Huawei in the chorus
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 01:07 AM
Speaking of fossils:
Celebrated liberal U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg argued in an opinion released Tuesday that a pregnant woman is not a “mother.”
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/05/28/ruth-bader-ginsburg-a-pregnant-woman-is-not-a-mother/
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:13 AM
That earlier example was because Reid was ai honest (when he wssnt being a bloodthirsty canniball)
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 01:14 AM
From Joe agosto to Jack Abramoff he wAs collector of bribes
Posted by: Narciso79 | May 29, 2019 at 01:16 AM
Stephanie,
Organic petroleum is the accepted theory, but abiotic oil is mot an idea that has been dismissed yet, it's even possible that both origins are correct.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 01:18 AM
Supreme Court says Stronk Wammens can use Men’s Room. At school. Not the Supreme Court. What, are you some kind of a nut?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | May 29, 2019 at 01:29 AM
"What prevents universities from ending life tenure? Simple market forces?"
Maybe it's just tradition?
I'm guessing that the market forces are pulling them this way:
https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/331636/
HIGHER EDUCATION BUBBLE UPDATE: “Some faculty members argue that surrendering the ‘professor’ title to some academic staff will further confuse students and the public.” “Colleges across the country have shrunk the share of tenured labor force for more financial flexibility. Institutions then offset those positions with instructors who operate on short-term appointments with heftier teaching loads, lower salaries and less academic freedom. ... ”
Posted by: JimNorCal | May 29, 2019 at 01:35 AM
--You didn't advance anything.
You tried a cheap shot from the nosebleed section. And I didn't bite the way you hoped.--
I asked how a non-natural born commie president was worse than a natural one. I wanted you to bite by explaining how that was true since the answer isn't obvious to me.
-- And you turned it into a Trump-birther-DoT-etc gripe.
That is what you really wanted.--
But instead you first tried to connect me to the guy being Alinskyed, < TomR />, and then turned it into another complaint in a long line of them about DoT and his supposed persecution of you.
As for what I really wanted, see above. But it's easier to pretend you're being baited and call perfectly legitimate questions dumb and silly than answer them.
--Big teardrop running down my cheek, Ig.
Not.--
You forgot "< /Tom R >"
--Please killfile me.--
See, it's always possible to find some common ground.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | May 29, 2019 at 01:38 AM
https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/3011858/how-chinas-rise-helping-unite-america-behind-donald-trumps
I agree.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 01:42 AM
jim nj, 12:53 AM
Interesting article, a pretty thin chain of evidence though, IMO. I've heard this theory before in another context.
Forests turned to savannas/prairies. People began to stand more upright to take advantage of being able to see farther. With our heads (noses) farther from the ground, our eyes became dominant, our sense of smell weakened. We freed our arms for manipulation and tool-usage. Our brains changed, evolved and grew.
Posted by: JimNorCal | May 29, 2019 at 01:44 AM
Rebozo definitely had some close connections with Nixon given the story I heard about 35 yrs ago about a pilot I know doing a barrel roll in Bobby Vesco’s shiny 707 in front of the two of them down somewhere in the Caribbean.
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | May 29, 2019 at 01:49 AM
From what Paul Stamets argues, there were no savannas until fungi killed off the trees and helped draw protohumans out there. Then McKenna claims the magic mushrooms made themselves available to inspire those knuckle draggers into something more than grunters.
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | May 29, 2019 at 02:01 AM
https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/article/design-regulations-helped-ruin-american-cars
I love this article. I hate that all new cars look basically the same and don't come in REAL colors anymore. I had assumed it was that trey all went through wind-tunnel testing and thus were all equally aerodynamic. No, part of it is due to regulations.
When I was a kid you could identify manufacturer and model with a glance. Even the model year.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 02:06 AM
Yes, the drying of the African rain forests could have resulted from any number of events. Fungi, climate change, the super nova posited in jim_nj's link and so on.
Once you have the primates on the grassland, the rest presumably follows.
This is one McKenna rap on the concept, but note that it is quite completely hand-wavy.
https://psychedelicsalon.com/podcast-563-plants-and-mind-part-1/
Posted by: JimNorCal | May 29, 2019 at 02:08 AM
Jim and MT,
I didn't know what to make of that article's premise. That a nearby super-nova changed our environment enough that we stood up.
We seem to have already been on that path. I figured that it was evolutionary. I hadn't considered an external event at a specific point in time that might accelerate that timeline.
Only reason I posted it was to get some feedback. Long evolutionary process vs. quick adaptation.
I still don't know.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 02:13 AM
Yeah, when the dude on the other side of that magic door tells you how it all happened, I don’t think you get to tape record the session. :)
Posted by: Manuel Transmission | May 29, 2019 at 02:16 AM
I've heard of McKenna, but not Paul Stamets.
Posted by: JimNorCal | May 29, 2019 at 02:17 AM
One interesting thought comes to mind. Me and my kid buddies loved to climb trees. Is that an ancient vestige?
Why didn't we retain the ability to live in trees when we learned to walk. I mean if we knew how to do a new thing, why diddn't we retain the ability to go the old thing? Fewer trees to practice on?
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 02:21 AM
Yeah, when the dude on the other side of that magic door tells you how it all happened, I don’t think you get to tape record the session. :)
Posted by: Manuel Transmission
--------
LOL and touche. Brilliant thought.
Posted by: jim nj | May 29, 2019 at 02:24 AM