#Timber Sycamore

[fatehbaz]

In the district of Garhwal in the Indian Himalayas, at 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) above sea level, forests of sycamore, chestnut, and rhododendron gradually give way to gently sloping grasslands.

Known locally as bugyals (from the Garhwali word bug for soft grasses), these meadows were the favored grazing grounds of communities of trans-Himalayan traders [...]. High-altitude meadows are home to musk deer, moonal pheasants, and a variety of flowers, grasses (such as the scented jambu), medicinal herbs, and roots (jadi butiyan). Garhwali villagers had long used the jadi butiyan of bugyals for household consumption and trade. Customary restrictions [...] made this usage sustainable.

The advent of [...] [colonial and institutional] forestry in the princely state of Tehri-Garhwal (the Tehri Durbar), together with the growth of an urban elite Hindu market for Ayurvedic potions, arguably transformed the social lives of Himalayan herbs. [...]

---

Works by upper-caste elites, such as the Maharaja of Gondal’s Aryan Medical Science (1895), claimed an exclusively “Hindu” provenance for the medicinal practices of Ayurveda. The nationalist reinvention of modern Ayurveda generated a market for medicinal herbs dominated by over a dozen firms by 1910. This emergent urban [...] bourgeois market for herbal medicines provides the context for the Tehri Durbar’s arguably unique project to commodify Himalayan herbs. Whereas the British government was reluctant to expand the plantation and manufacture of indigenous drugs, the Durbar established a separate department for the purpose, called the Vanaspati Karyalaya, that worked closely with the Forest Department.

Subordinated to the British government, the Tehri Durbar had begun contracting out vast swathes of pine and deodar forests to timber traders from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. In 1879 the Durbar’s Forest Department [...] restricted peasant access to common resources. Restrictions on the sale and collection of forest produce were put in place between 1878 and 1885, [...] precipitating numerous forest dhandaks (uprisings) as a consequence. Rules governing forest access changed in response to such protests and by 1930 prohibitions on the collection of and trade in medicinal herbs were lifted in certain areas.

The foundation of the Vanaspati Karyalaya prompted the systematization of the Forest Department’s initial efforts to monetize the collection of herbs through taxes, contracts, and tenders. By 1927 the department was working with the Karyalaya to carry out the sale of medicinal herbs, such as Gugal, Mashi, Atis, and Kawri, yielding an income of 18,294 rupees. [...] From the Durbar’s Annual Reports, [...] the Karyalaya’s preparation of Ayurvedic medicines seemed to have commanded “ready sale” primarily in the domestic market. Subsequently, therefore, the Forest Department focused on the overall sale and plantation of herbs while the Karyalaya specialized in the processing of herbs.

---

Anticipating an extension of markets “as demand for Himalayan medicines grows,” the Durbar charted a project of mass plantation to overcome the “expense and difficulty of searching for herbs of indigenous growth” that were “scattered among other herb plants and weeds.”

The bugyals of Garhwal were thus classified as “wastelands” from which “practically no income at present can be derived.”

This justified plans for the cultivation of aconites such as kut and atis on a projected area of 2,000 square miles (517,997 hectares) of alpine grassland. In the 1930s, the Durbar initiated the plantation of kut in the Ganga Bhillangana Forest Division, employing trained gardeners as well as “coolie” labor to transplant herbs from nurseries to enclosed meadows. Thus, bugyals hitherto controlled by villagers [...] were gradually being enclosed for herb plantations. The Karyalaya also opened a pharmaceutical works just outside the town of Rishikesh at Muni ki Reti [...]. Graduates of [...] colleges in Delhi and Calcutta [...] were hired for these operations. [...] [T]he Tehri Durbar’s move towards the mass plantation and processing of herbs risked dispossessi[on] [...] as well as eliding local knowledges related to jadi butiyan. 

The story of the Vanaspati Karyalaya arguably suggests how complex cultural associations between the Himalayas and healing were becoming commodified.

---

Image, caption, and all text above by: Nivedita Nath. "Histories of Central Himalayan Herbs: Vanaspati Karyalaya in Tehri Princely State c. 1879-1950". Environment & Society Portal, Arcadia (Spring 2020), no. 13. Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society. doi dot org/10.52982/rcc/9018 [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[the--jagermeister]

[Ashton shuffles his feet nervously, slowly walking up to Max as he enters Perky's Buds.]

Hey there Max! Um, I don't know if you remember me, I'm the new kid in town! The uh, nerdy prude from Sycamore? Anyways, I was just wondering how you've been! And if you'd like to uh, check out my ask blog sometime?

-Ashton 🌞 (@ask-sycamore-high)

(OOC: New Hatchetfield OC be upon ye! No pressure to respond ofc :))

Uh, and why the hell would I do that? You've got balls even trying to speak to me, Timber Wolf.

[spiralsandd3lusi0n]

[Max seems to be arguing with some girl I'm a Sycamore uniform. The girl seeks incredibly smug, while Max seems frustrated]

"You're a Timber Wolf! You don't get to act like you're better than me!"

"You're cute when you're mad, you know. "

"Shut up!"

@jagermanout /@sycamore-queen-bee

[Daxxy, in her goat form, just hides somewhere and watches.]

[brookston]

Holidays 10.23

Holidays

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Aviator’s Day (Brazil)

A Better Way with AI Day

Broken Diamond (Elder Scrolls)

Celery Day (French Republic)

Chinese American Day (California)

Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day; Thailand)

Claire & Henry’s Wedding Day (Time Traveler’s Wife)

Disabled Ace Day

Doctor’s Day (Mexico)

Event Organizers Day

Fallout Day

Frost Descends (Chinese Farmer’s Calendar)

Global Day of Action for Child Survival

Heavs and Earth Creation Day (Ussher)

Hoar-Frost Falls (China)

International GNSS Day

International Museum Meme Day

International Print Day

International PTEN Awareness Day

International Snow Leopard Day

International XLH Day

iPod Day

Kabuki Syndrome Awareness Day

Liberation Day (Libya)

Lock Your Meds Day

Lung Health Day

Medical Assistants Recognition Day

Mole Day (Chemists)

National Aviation Day (Mexico)

National Bioenergy Day

National Boys Dance Day (UK)

National Croc Day

National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV

National Horror Movie Day

National Maine Sanctuary Day

National Mole Day

National One United Race Day

National Slap Your Irritating Co-Worker Day

Nemzeti ünnep (Hungary)

Operation Safe Stop Day

Paralegal Day

Paris Peace Agreement Day (Cambodia)

Peniamina Gospel Day (Niue)

Swallows Leave Capistrano Day

Timber Innovation Day

TV Talk Show Host Day

Ueno Tenjin Matsuri (Parade of Demons; Japan)

Unity Day

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

World Edible Insect Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Boston Cream Pie Day

Canning Day (a.k.a. Canned Food Day)

Spam Jam (Hawaii)

World Mozzarella Day

Independence & Related Days

Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle (Macedonia)

Neeburm (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Republic Day (Hungary)

Woodland Patchwork (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

4th Wednesday in October

E-Waste Wednesday (Canada) [4th Wednesday]

Heat Pump Water Heater Day [4th Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Print Day [4th Wednesday]

Lung Health Day [4th Wednesday]

Purple Wednesday [Wednesday of Last Full Week]

Sustainability Day [4th Wednesday]

Universal Children's Day (Australia) [4th Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weird Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Whatever Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 23 (3rd Full Week of October)

Global Health Equity Day (thru 10.27)

National Red Ribbon Week (thru 10.31) [Last 9 Days]

Festivals Beginning October 23, 2024

Colisium International Music Forum (Kazan, Russia) [thru 10.24]

Golden Leaves Con (Hasliberg, Switzerland) [thru 10.27]

National FFA Convention & Expo (Indianapolis, Indiana) [thru 10.26]

National Pasta Association Annual Meetng & the World Pasta Congress (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.25]

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival (Sycamore, Illinois) [thru 10.27]

Feast Days

Allucio of Campugliano (Christian; Saint)

Amon of Toul (Diocese of Toul; Christian; Saint)

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (Christian; Saint)

Aravind Adiga (Writerism)

Beginning of Scorpio (Astrology; Pagan)

Bobby London Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Bob Montana (Artology)

Christmas (a.k.a. Feast of Señor Noemi, the Child Jesus; Apostolic Catholic Church)

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer (Christian)

Festival of Forgotten Gods

The Finding of the King Jubilation (Shamanism)

Fontenelle (Positivist; Saint)

Giovanni da Capistrano (Christian; Saint)

Ignatios of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Island Heads (Muppetism)

James the Just (a.k.a. James, brother of Jesus; Lutheran, Episcopal Church (USA), Eastern Orthodox)

Jean-Louis Forain (Artology)

John Capistran (Christian; Saint)

Joséphine Leroux (Christian; Saint)

Juan Luna (Artology)

Lawren Harris (Artology)

Maggi Hambling (Artology)

Matthew Quick (Writerism)

Michael Crichton (Writerism)

Navami [9th Day of Dashain]

Peter Pascual (Christian; Saint)

Richard Mortensen (Artology)

Romain (a.k.a. Romanus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Scorpio begins (Astrology; Pagan)

Servandus and Cermanus (Christian; Saint)

Severin of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Strip for Your Lover Day (Pastafarian)

Surin (Christian; Saint)

Theodoret (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays

Feast of the Ingathering [21 Tishrei] (a.k.a. ... 

Feast of the Tabernacles (Christian)

Festival of Shelters (Christian)

Harvest Home (UK)

Kirn (Scotland)

Mell-Supper (Northern England)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Almost Blue, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1981)

Arches and Planes or The Old Chisel ‘Em Trail (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 172; 1962)

Auntie Edna (Pixar Cartoon; 2018)

Baba O’Riley, by The Who (Song; 1971)

The Big Countdown or Tally in Our Alley (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 171; 1962)

Big Hero 6 (Animated Disney Film; 2014)

The Black Parade, by My Chemical Romance (Album; 2006)

Chili Corn Corny (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

A Creep at the Switch or Sudden Pacific (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 66; 1960)

Dictionary of the Khazars, by Milorad Pavić (Novel, English Translation; 1989)

Dumbo (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

The Dumbconscious Mind (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

Elizabeth (Film; 1998)

The Flying Sorcerers, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 27 & 28 1965)

Hello, by Adele (Song; 2015)

Hold the Wire (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

I, Claudius, by Robert Graves (Novel; 1934)

I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor (Song; 1978)

The Last Hurrah (Film; 1958)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1998)

Live a Little, Love a Little (Film; 1968) [Elvis Presley #28]

The Magnificent Seven (Film; 1960)

My Neighbor Totoro (Anime Film; 2005

On the Waterfront, by Budd Schulberg (Novel; 1955)

Orgazmo (Film; 1998)

The Picnic (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Pink Sphinx (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

Pleasantville (Film; 1998)

The Queen’s Gambit (TV Mini-Series; 2020)

Rehab, by Amy Winehouse (Song; 2006)

Reservoir Dogs (Film; 1992)

Rock the Casbah (Film; 2015)

Rugged Bear (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by Saul D. Alinsky (Philosophy Book; 1971)

$7.50 Once a Week (Money Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1995)

Sourdough Squirrel or Hardrock Rocky (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 65; 1960)

The Spider and the Fly (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1931)

The Stork’s Holiday (MGM Cartoon; 1943)

The Times They Are-A-Changin’, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1963)

Treasure of the Temple (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #6; 1964)

Trespass, by Genesis (Album; 1970)

Today’s Name Days

Johannes, Oda, Severin, Uta (Austria)

Borislav, Ivan, Severin, Teodor (Croatia)

Teodor (Czech Republic)

Søren (Denmark)

Leevi, Liivi, Liivia, Liivika (Estonia)

Severi (Finland)

Jean, Simon (France)

Johannes, Severin, Uta (Germany)

Iakovos, Jacob (Greece)

Gyöngyi (Hungary)

Giovanni (Italy)

Daina, Dainis, Severins (Latvia)

Odilija, Ramvydė, Sanginas (Lithuania)

Severin, Sørene (Norway)

Iga, Ignacja, Ignacy, Jan, Marlena, Odilla, Roman, Seweryn, Teodor, Włościsław, Żegota (Poland)

Iacob (Romania)

Alojzia (Slovakia)

Juan (Spain)

Severin, Sören (Sweden)

Fifi, Josefina, Josepha, Josephina, Josephine, Josie, Pepita (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 297 of 2024; 69 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 19 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 27 Orange; Sixthday [27 of 30]

Julian: 10 October 2024

Moon: 57%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Descartes (11th Month) [Herder / Vico]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 32 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 1 of 30)

[thedevilinmybrain]

There is nothing. No low growl, not heavy footsteps in the underbrush. It’s just – still. Like the very breath before the cloud erupts in a storm. It’s the only chance Harry knows he has. Curling his hands around the straps of his backpack, he gasps in one quick breath and then runs. Trees fly by him, branches trying to snag on his thin running clothes, his bag, hold him back as Harry tries to make for the line of pine trees he can see before him. Somehow, he just knows he’ll be able to make it there if he just keeps going – keeps fighting. But just as the thought solidifies in his mind, a loud growl echoes loud enough it seems to rattle the very forest floor.  Harry doesn't even get a chance to change directions, doesn't even recognize how close the danger is until that weight - crushing and too hot - slams into his back.

He lands hard in a thick pile of moss and leaves, narrowly missing a thick root from a sycamore tree that the beast yanks him away from at the last moment. Scrambling to get his hands up, Harry tries to crawl away, tries to get some space, but it's futile. The massive body behind completely covers him, thick drool sliding over his bare skin, heavy paws batting at him until the creature finally flips Harry onto his back. Staring down at him is the long snout of a wolf, its lips curled back over long canines, snarling in a low timber that seems to fill the entire woods around them. It's huge, body a staggering two and a half meters with a head that looms over Harry, nearly half a meter itself. Tawny fur extends from its black nose, up over pointed ears and along its furry back, hair that stands on end as the wolf leans in, close enough Harry can feel the hot breath on his face. Even in the dark, Harry can see the gleam of its red eyes, the pupils small and pointed directly into Harry's, watching him closely.

[katenepveu]

Museum for Art in Wood (Part 4)

Part 4 of my posts about visiting the Museum for Art in Wood this weekend.

Here are the works that I categorized as "sculpture" and not anything else. Uh, this is particularly long, sorry?

Spiral Box by Louise Hibbert:

"[My] inspiration has always [come from] a fascination with the natural world, particularly marine life, microscope creatures, plants and fossils, which together offer a fantastic repertoire of imagery. The majority of my work is made form native kiln-dried timbers. Sycamore is my favourite as it has a pale, even grain to act as a blank canvas for my design and a wonderful translucent quality that makes the colours glow."

Smoothing - Turning 03 by Wonjoo Park, made of slumped glass and wood. I love the shape of this.

I like the juxtaposition of these two: La Dama Flamenca by Antonio Prats-Ventos, and Flamenco by Hayley Smith.

I don't know what I expected this to be called, but Perfect Reflection isn't it. Which probably makes it a good title. (By Hap Sakwa.)

I didn't get the face on the other end, sorry. Greenman Vase #1 by Michelle Holzapfel.

Two pieces of furniture with unusual legs: Floor Walker by C.R. (Skip) Johnson and Walking Stool by Neil Donovan.

I would love to know more about The Missing Piece: Negotiator by Betty Scarpino:

And about Tribute by Gael Montgomerie:

And about Out of Africa by Butch Smuts:

Lunar Phases by Nucharin Wangphongsawasd is so striking.

Rocking Bowl by Andrew Gittoes just looks really cool.

I have no idea what this is, as searching the catalog for the number 1306 turns up zero results; but I like it.

I did not see any labels nearby, but fortunately there are not so many tables in their database: this is Re Turned Table by Gord Peteran.

Expose exposed180726 by Cha Jong-Rye; in the official picture they're all facing the same way, but not in the display; does that matter? Who could say? (I mean, presumably the artist; but not this curious visitor.)

Cobble Snail by Arthur Jones has great textures.

The Origin by Matthew Harding has such good balance, literally and figuratively.

Tenants III by Megan McGlynn. The website's picture doesn't quite capture the glow.

Only one more post!

[angelkarafilli]

Hadrian's Wall was built in c. AD 122 on the orders of Emperor Hadrian. Today, the Wall runs across northern England, but when it was built, it was the northern frontier of the Roman province of Britannia. With the exception of a couple of decades in the mid-2nd century AD, Hadrian's Wall was the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire for approximately 300 years. It was built to separate the Romans from the Barbarians¹ and may have been built in response to guerrilla warfare waged by the natives. It was certainly built to secure the border and control the movement of people in and out of the Empire.

The Wall is believed to have taken about six years to complete, although it would continue to change and evolve for decades after completion. Initially, some parts were built from timber and turf and others in stone. Eventually, the entire Wall, from Maia in the west to Segedunum in the east, was built in stone. In front of the Wall, where there were otherwise no natural features for protection such as rivers or cliffs, the Romans dug a deep ditch. Behind the Wall was the Vallum, which was an earthwork that comprised two banks of earth with a deep ditch in between. The Vallum stretched almost the entire length of the Wall, over 70 miles, and probably defined the rear of the Wall-zone.

The height of Hadrian's Wall is difficult to know because so little of it remains. It probably varied depending on the terrain. For example, the Wall as it crossed the high cliffs of the Whin Sill was possibly about 4-4.6 metres high (13-15 feet) and slightly higher—possibly 4.6-5.5 metres (15-18 feet) or more—when it crossed easily traversed terrain.

Hadrian's Wall has been used as a quarry since it was abandoned. Today, only about 10% of the Wall remains, and the sections of wall that have survived stand at a height of just 1-2 metres in most places. However, as recently as the 16th century there was a section of Wall standing 5 metres high (16 feet) near Bowness-on-Solway. Samson Erdeswick records in 1574:

"Begyning abowt a town called Bonus [Bowness-on-Solway] standing vppon the river Sulway now called Eden, and there yet standing of the heyth of 16 fote, for almost a quarter of a myle together, and so along the river syde estwards."

William Camden (16/17th century):

"Within two furlongs of Caervoran, on a pretty high hill the Wall is still standing, fifteen feet in height, and nine in breadth."

Bede (7/8th century):

"It is eight feet in breadth, and twelve in height, in a straight line from east to west, as is still visible to beholders."

These writers lived many centuries after the Roman military abandoned Britain. Even Bede, the earliest reference to the height I have used, was writing some 300 years after the Roman military had left Britain. Thus, the Wall might have lost a few feet in height in places by his day.

With regard to thickness, Hadrian's Wall was up to 3 metres (over 9 feet) thick, but again, it varied. Some sections were about 2.5 metres thick (8 feet), and other sections narrower.

In its day, Hadrian's Wall was an impressive 73-mile-long (80 Roman miles) stone structure with no fewer than 16 large forts, 80 milecastles, and about 160 turrets. It crossed over rivers, hills, and along cliffs, from the west coast to the banks of the River Tyne in the east.

An unbelievable structure that survives from the ancient world.

Location: above Sycamore Gap looking east.

Source:International Man of History/FB page

[lambda-requests]

whats this?

QUICK INTERMISSION !!!!!!!!!!

ive noticed alot of forest-dwellers coming to the blog!!!! /pos so in honor of that, i made a list of some forest themed neopronouns under the cut that i would like to share with everyone!!!!!

frond/frond/fronds/fronds/frondself

vio(let)/vio(let)/violets/violets/violetself

fern/fern/ferns/ferns/fernself

snap/snap/snaps/snaps/snapself

twig/twig/twigs/twigs/twigself

drift(wood)/drift(wood)/driftwoods/driftwoods/driftwoodself

burr(ow)/burr(ow)/burrows/burrows/burrowself

stump/stump/stumps/stumps/stumpself

drip/drip/drips/drips/dripself

val(ley)/valley/valleys/valleys/valleyself

ti(mber)/tim(ber)/timbers/timbers/timberself

syc(amore)/syc(amore)/sycamores/sycamores/sycamoreself

[arcobalengo]

NUOVOATLANTE

di Alessandro Orsini

Altre storie. Il popolo scende in piazza per rovesciare Macron anziché Putin.

Scoppiata la guerra in Ucraina, l’Italia si è radicalizzata sotto la spinta dei principali quotidiani. Per radicalizzazione, intendo il processo socio-psicologico che spinge un individuo ad abbracciare idee estremiste. L’estremismo di questi quotidiani può essere riassunto in tre idee che forgiano uno schema cognitivo radicale. La prima idea prevede la sconfitta della Russia sul campo a tutti i costi, incluso il rischio dell’escalation nucleare: nessuna diplomazia, soltanto guerra. La seconda idea è che il mondo sia diviso tra le forze del bene e quelle del male. Il criterio per distinguere i due campi è la politica della Casa Bianca. La linea di Biden è sacra e non può essere discussa. Chiunque la critichi finisce in una lista di proscrizione e poi esposto al pubblico ludibrio e all’insulto collettivo. I pacifisti non esistono: esistono soltanto i “pacifinti”. È ciò che nei miei studi chiamo “mentalità a codice binario”. La terza idea estremista è che esistano soltanto due tipi di civiltà: la civiltà superiore dell’Unione Europea e quella inferiore della Russia che non ha niente di attraente. I russi vivono nella miseria e sono prossimi alla bancarotta. Non hanno armi né voglia di combattere perché sono soggiogati da un dittatore che odiano e contro il quale sono pronti a ribellarsi. La vita dei russi è triste e miserabile. I russi sono un popolo fallito, facile da sconfiggere.

Quattro fatti hanno smentito questo schema mentale che, come tutti gli schemi cognitivi estremisti, sopravvive all’evidenza.

Il primo è la crescita del Pil russo.

Il secondo è la vittoria dei russi a Bakhmut, la battaglia più importante della guerra.

Il terzo è la rivolta di Prigozhin: il popolo russo e la sua classe dirigente hanno avuto l’occasione per ribellarsi a Putin, ma si sono stretti intorno a lui.

Il quarto fatto è la rivolta di Parigi. Secondo i principali quotidiani, il popolo sarebbe dovuto scendere in piazza in Russia per rovesciare Putin. Invece, è sceso in piazza in Europa per rovesciare Macron. La rivolta di Parigi è uguale alle rivolte in Tunisia, Egitto, Libia e Siria. Lo stesso odio visto contro Bassar al Assad in Siria appare in Francia contro Macron e Ursula von der Leyen. Con la differenza che in Francia non c’è nessun Paese islamico che fornisca ai ribelli mitragliatori e bombe a mano, come il blocco occidentale ha fatto con i ribelli siriani con il piano segreto della Cia, “Timber Sycamore”, voluto da Biden ai tempi di Obama. Se un blocco islamico facesse alla Francia ciò che il blocco occidentale ha fatto alla Siria, la Francia sarebbe finita e, probabilmente, anche l’Unione Europea. I morti in Francia sarebbero decine di migliaia e la rivolta si estenderebbe quasi certamente ad altri Paesi dell’Unione Europea.

Che cosa possiamo imparare da questi quattro fatti? Sotto il profilo antropologico-culturale, impariamo che la cultura liberale dell’Unione Europea è uguale alla cultura fascista degli anni Trenta sotto tre aspetti. Il primo è la convinzione di essere una civiltà superiore; il secondo è l’aggressività militare secondo cui tutti i problemi si risolvono con le guerre; il terzo è la convinzione di essere imbattibili. Oltre agli elementi culturali, vi sono anche elementi sistemici comuni, tra cui la corsa agli armamenti e una grande potenza revanscista in Europa, la Russia. Con una novità: le testate nucleari in Bielorussia puntate sull’Ucraina.

🔴 Per ricevere tutti gli aggiornamenti segui Giorgio Bianchi Photojournalist

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.23

Holidays

Asian Corpsetwt Day [Every 23rd]

Aviator’s Day (Brazil)

A Better Way with AI Day

Broken Diamond (Elder Scrolls)

Celery Day (French Republic)

Chinese American Day (California)

Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day; Thailand)

Claire & Henry’s Wedding Day (Time Traveler’s Wife)

Disabled Ace Day

Doctor’s Day (Mexico)

Event Organizers Day

Fallout Day

Frost Descends (Chinese Farmer’s Calendar)

Global Day of Action for Child Survival

Heavs and Earth Creation Day (Ussher)

Hoar-Frost Falls (China)

International GNSS Day

International Museum Meme Day

International Print Day

International PTEN Awareness Day

International Snow Leopard Day

International XLH Day

iPod Day

Kabuki Syndrome Awareness Day

Liberation Day (Libya)

Lock Your Meds Day

Lung Health Day

Medical Assistants Recognition Day

Mole Day (Chemists)

National Aviation Day (Mexico)

National Bioenergy Day

National Boys Dance Day (UK)

National Croc Day

National Day of Action to End Violence Against Women Living with HIV

National Horror Movie Day

National Maine Sanctuary Day

National Mole Day

National One United Race Day

National Slap Your Irritating Co-Worker Day

Nemzeti ünnep (Hungary)

Operation Safe Stop Day

Paralegal Day

Paris Peace Agreement Day (Cambodia)

Peniamina Gospel Day (Niue)

Swallows Leave Capistrano Day

Timber Innovation Day

TV Talk Show Host Day

Ueno Tenjin Matsuri (Parade of Demons; Japan)

Unity Day

Universal Children’s Day (Australia)

World Edible Insect Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Boston Cream Pie Day

Canning Day (a.k.a. Canned Food Day)

Spam Jam (Hawaii)

World Mozzarella Day

Independence & Related Days

Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle (Macedonia)

Neeburm (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Republic Day (Hungary)

Woodland Patchwork (Declared; 2013) [unrecognized]

4th Wednesday in October

E-Waste Wednesday (Canada) [4th Wednesday]

Heat Pump Water Heater Day [4th Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Print Day [4th Wednesday]

Lung Health Day [4th Wednesday]

Purple Wednesday [Wednesday of Last Full Week]

Sustainability Day [4th Wednesday]

Universal Children's Day (Australia) [4th Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Weird Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Whatever Wednesday [4th Wednesday of Each Month]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 23 (3rd Full Week of October)

Global Health Equity Day (thru 10.27)

National Red Ribbon Week (thru 10.31) [Last 9 Days]

Festivals Beginning October 23, 2024

Colisium International Music Forum (Kazan, Russia) [thru 10.24]

Golden Leaves Con (Hasliberg, Switzerland) [thru 10.27]

National FFA Convention & Expo (Indianapolis, Indiana) [thru 10.26]

National Pasta Association Annual Meetng & the World Pasta Congress (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) [thru 10.25]

Sycamore Pumpkin Festival (Sycamore, Illinois) [thru 10.27]

Feast Days

Allucio of Campugliano (Christian; Saint)

Amon of Toul (Diocese of Toul; Christian; Saint)

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (Christian; Saint)

Aravind Adiga (Writerism)

Beginning of Scorpio (Astrology; Pagan)

Bobby London Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Bob Montana (Artology)

Christmas (a.k.a. Feast of Señor Noemi, the Child Jesus; Apostolic Catholic Church)

Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer (Christian)

Festival of Forgotten Gods

The Finding of the King Jubilation (Shamanism)

Fontenelle (Positivist; Saint)

Giovanni da Capistrano (Christian; Saint)

Ignatios of Constantinople (Christian; Saint)

Island Heads (Muppetism)

James the Just (a.k.a. James, brother of Jesus; Lutheran, Episcopal Church (USA), Eastern Orthodox)

Jean-Louis Forain (Artology)

John Capistran (Christian; Saint)

Joséphine Leroux (Christian; Saint)

Juan Luna (Artology)

Lawren Harris (Artology)

Maggi Hambling (Artology)

Matthew Quick (Writerism)

Michael Crichton (Writerism)

Navami [9th Day of Dashain]

Peter Pascual (Christian; Saint)

Richard Mortensen (Artology)

Romain (a.k.a. Romanus) of Rouen (Christian; Saint)

Scorpio begins (Astrology; Pagan)

Servandus and Cermanus (Christian; Saint)

Severin of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Strip for Your Lover Day (Pastafarian)

Surin (Christian; Saint)

Theodoret (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays

Feast of the Ingathering [21 Tishrei] (a.k.a. ... 

Feast of the Tabernacles (Christian)

Festival of Shelters (Christian)

Harvest Home (UK)

Kirn (Scotland)

Mell-Supper (Northern England)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Almost Blue, by Elvis Costello (Album; 1981)

Arches and Planes or The Old Chisel ‘Em Trail (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 172; 1962)

Auntie Edna (Pixar Cartoon; 2018)

Baba O’Riley, by The Who (Song; 1971)

The Big Countdown or Tally in Our Alley (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 171; 1962)

Big Hero 6 (Animated Disney Film; 2014)

The Black Parade, by My Chemical Romance (Album; 2006)

Chili Corn Corny (WB LT Cartoon; 1965)

A Creep at the Switch or Sudden Pacific (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 66; 1960)

Dictionary of the Khazars, by Milorad Pavić (Novel, English Translation; 1989)

Dumbo (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

The Dumbconscious Mind (Phantasies Cartoon; 1942)

Elizabeth (Film; 1998)

The Flying Sorcerers, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 27 & 28 1965)

Hello, by Adele (Song; 2015)

Hold the Wire (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1936)

I, Claudius, by Robert Graves (Novel; 1934)

I Will Survive, by Gloria Gaynor (Song; 1978)

The Last Hurrah (Film; 1958)

Life Is Beautiful (Film; 1998)

Live a Little, Love a Little (Film; 1968) [Elvis Presley #28]

The Magnificent Seven (Film; 1960)

My Neighbor Totoro (Anime Film; 2005

On the Waterfront, by Budd Schulberg (Novel; 1955)

Orgazmo (Film; 1998)

The Picnic (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Pink Sphinx (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1968)

Pleasantville (Film; 1998)

The Queen’s Gambit (TV Mini-Series; 2020)

Rehab, by Amy Winehouse (Song; 2006)

Reservoir Dogs (Film; 1992)

Rock the Casbah (Film; 2015)

Rugged Bear (Disney Cartoon; 1953)

Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, by Saul D. Alinsky (Philosophy Book; 1971)

$7.50 Once a Week (Money Rock Cartoon; Schoolhouse Rock; 1995)

Sourdough Squirrel or Hardrock Rocky (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 65; 1960)

The Spider and the Fly (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1931)

The Stork’s Holiday (MGM Cartoon; 1943)

The Times They Are-A-Changin’, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1963)

Treasure of the Temple (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #6; 1964)

Trespass, by Genesis (Album; 1970)

Today’s Name Days

Johannes, Oda, Severin, Uta (Austria)

Borislav, Ivan, Severin, Teodor (Croatia)

Teodor (Czech Republic)

Søren (Denmark)

Leevi, Liivi, Liivia, Liivika (Estonia)

Severi (Finland)

Jean, Simon (France)

Johannes, Severin, Uta (Germany)

Iakovos, Jacob (Greece)

Gyöngyi (Hungary)

Giovanni (Italy)

Daina, Dainis, Severins (Latvia)

Odilija, Ramvydė, Sanginas (Lithuania)

Severin, Sørene (Norway)

Iga, Ignacja, Ignacy, Jan, Marlena, Odilla, Roman, Seweryn, Teodor, Włościsław, Żegota (Poland)

Iacob (Romania)

Alojzia (Slovakia)

Juan (Spain)

Severin, Sören (Sweden)

Fifi, Josefina, Josepha, Josephina, Josephine, Josie, Pepita (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 297 of 2024; 69 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 43 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 25 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 21 (Geng-Shen)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 21 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 19 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 27 Orange; Sixthday [27 of 30]

Julian: 10 October 2024

Moon: 57%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 17 Descartes (11th Month) [Herder / Vico]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 32 of 90)

Week: 3rd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 1 of 30)

[ainews]

In the 1580s, grandmothers were known to be oldline or traditional when it came to their beliefs and customs, particularly in regards to sycamore trees. This can be attributed to a few key factors, including cultural superstitions and the practical uses of the sycamore tree.

In the 16th century, Europe was still heavily influenced by medieval beliefs and traditions. One of these traditions was the belief in folklore and superstitions surrounding trees, including the sycamore. Many grandmothers of this time would have grown up with these beliefs and would have passed them down to their children and grandchildren.

Some of these superstitions included the idea that the sycamore tree was a symbol of protection and strength. It was believed that planting a sycamore tree near a home would ward off evil spirits and protect the household. Grandmothers, who were often responsible for the well-being and protection of their families, would have taken these beliefs seriously and may have even planted sycamore trees near their homes for this purpose.

Additionally, sycamore trees were highly valued for their practical uses. The wood is strong and durable, making it ideal for building and furniture making. In the 16th century, families relied on the land and resources around them to provide for their needs. Sycamore trees were a valuable resource for timber, and grandmothers would have likely used this wood for cooking, heating, and other household needs.

Furthermore, sycamore trees were also used for medicinal purposes. The bark of the tree was believed to have healing properties and was used to make poultices for treating wounds and skin conditions. As grandmothers were often the main caregiver and healer in the family, their knowledge and use of these traditional remedies would have been passed down through generations.

Finally, in the 1580s, the idea of preserving traditional customs and practices was highly valued. With the rise of new ideas and advancements in society, older generations may have held onto their traditional beliefs and customs as a way to retain a sense of stability and continuity in their lives. Grandmothers, being the keepers of family traditions, would have been seen as the guardians of these customs and the sycamore tree would have been a part of that tradition.

In conclusion, grandmothers in the 1580s were seen as oldline when it came to their beliefs and customs, particularly when it came to sycamore trees. Their adherence to cultural superstitions, practical use of the tree, and desire to preserve traditional customs all contributed to their attachment to sycamores.

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What may happen next at Sycamore Gap tree felling site?

Ideas include making a memorial bench using the timber, seeing what the stump does and planting a forest Phoebe Weston There is a big hole at …What may happen next at Sycamore Gap tree felling site?

[civiconcepts]

15 Types of Hardwood Trees for House Construction

What Are Hardwood Trees?

Hardwood tree means that leaves are falling off in the autumn season and through the spring season tree remains leave less, also the hardwood produces a nut and fruit and is often dormant in the winter season. Almost all hardwood trees are flowering shrubs and trees and this tree contains a cell that conducts thick fiber cells, tightly packed fiber (dense fiber cells wood), and conduct water. The hardwood tree density is always higher than softwood trees like pine, fir, Douglas, and some more, also harvested hardwood wood is expensive and generally, these hardwood trees are useful for making decks, cladding, and furniture. There are many different types of hardwood trees, each with unique properties that make them suitable for different applications. Some of the most common types of hardwood trees include oak, maple, mahogany, walnut, cherry, ash, beech, birch, teak, hickory, poplar, sycamore, elm, ebony, and rosewood. These trees vary in terms of their color, texture, and grain pattern, and each has its own unique set of characteristics that make it ideal for different uses. Understanding the various types of hardwood trees is essential for selecting the right wood for a specific project, and this article will provide an overview of some of the most common types of hardwood trees. Read More: Which Is Best Wood For Furniture | 8 Types of Wood For Funiture

Types of Hardwood Trees

There are many other types of hardwood trees, and the specific type of tree used will depend on the intended application. Hardwood trees are prized for their strength, durability, and natural beauty, making them a popular choice for a wide range of products, including furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and more. Ash Hardwood Tree

Ash trees are generally deciduous and also available in large to medium sizes. This tree grows in the springtime through the starting summer month and contains seeds called key or helicopter seeds and them fruit called a samara also the two most common types are included in ash hardwood such as White ash hardwood and Green ash hardwood. Beech Hardwood Trees

These Beech hardwood trees grow slowly are deciduous and can grow 300 to 400 years old, and can reach up to 50 to 80 feet in the lengthwise direction this tree is mostly found in the eastern United States. The beech tree has a smooth appearance, with a light gray color, the tree is looking quite attractive, and these hardwood trees are commonly found on school campuses, parks, cemeteries, and parks. Also, the beech trees have dark green leaves and smooth barks, and they can grow in altitudes up to 3300 feet . When if you find initials carved into a tree, then it is likely to be a beech tree. Birch Hardwood Trees

The birch trees consist of large shrubs and this small or medium in size, found mostly in northern temperature climates in areas like North America, birch trees have leaves and Europe. In North America, there are mainly four types of birch hardwood trees, which include, - River Birch Hardwood Tree or Black Birch Hardwood Trees: These types of birch trees have rough bark. - Yellow Birch Hardwood Trees: These types of trees are mostly found in the United States. - Paper birch Hardwood Trees: These types of trees are the most common type of hardwood. - Sweet birch Hardwood Trees: These trees are native to the Appalachian region. Read More: Difference Between Wood and Timber | What Is Wood Black Cherry Hardwood Trees

Black Cherry trees are deciduous and shed their leaves before becoming dormant in the wintertime, and this includes black cherry trees also called Mountain black cherry trees or Rum cherry trees. These trees have beautiful flowers and fruits. Black Walnut Hardwood Trees

This Black Walnut Hardwood tree Consists of 21 different species and includes the butternut, Arizona Walnut, Black Walnut, and different two species in the State of California. They required a lot of sun and riparian zones around rivers, and creeks. But the main problem is black walnut trees often release chemicals into the ground soil which kills other plants, and you often see yellowing plants near the trees and dead plants. These black walnut trees are deciduous trees that include hard-shelled nuts, large and leave that are either serrated or toothed their barks are generally in dark color and the nuts range from round to oval in shape according to the specific species. Cottonwood Trees

These Cottonwood Trees get their name due to seeds which are covered in a fluffy white covering, they like wet areas or conditions because they are more sturdy to withstand the elements. The most common types of cottonwood trees are found in Fremont Cottonwood, Black, and Eastern. Generally, the cottonwood trees include paper, plywood, and storage boxes, this cottonwood trees commonly have yellowish-green barks and leaves which are triangular in shape. Elm Hardwood Trees

These Elm Hardwood Trees are semi-deciduous and deciduous and include American, Rock elm trees, and Slippery. They have asymmetrical, toothed shape leaves and fruit that are either winged drupe or key, including plums, almonds, and cherries. Also, these Elm hardwood trees can get up to 120 feet width-wise and 200 feet in height-wise direction, so they are large in size, and also makes ornamental trees and perfect shades. Holly Hardwood Trees

Holly Hardwood Tree is one type of Oaktree that include more than 450 species, Climbers, Consisting of Shrubs, and deciduous trees. Some Special types of holly trees grow up to 82 feet in height, also these trees have glossy leaves and red berries which make them perfect for Christmas decoration purposes in the winter season. Magnolia Hardwood Trees

These Magnolia Hardwood Trees consist of dark, green leaves, and large and beautiful off-white, and white color blooms which are very eye-catching and aromatic and that aroma is mostly noticeable in the summer season. Also, the Magnolia trees consist of a fruit like a cone or aggregate kind shape and are very common in the southeastern region of the US. Maple Hardwood Trees

Maple Hardwood Trees consist of Black, chalk, canyon, striped, mountain, and rocky mountain maple trees, They are small in size, with showy flowers which create clusters and fruit grows in the spring season. These maple hardwood trees are noticeable due to their redbuds and red stems for catching people’s attention. Read More: Seasoning of Timber | Seasoning of Wood Oak Hardwood Trees

Oak trees can be divided into two main categories namely Red Oaks and White Oaks, they live long life approx 100 years, and get up to 100 feet in a height-wise direction, also takes 6 to 18 months to completely mature. The Oak trees include 400 species worldwide and 76 types in North America. Polar Hardwood Trees

This Polar type hardwood is found in the Northern Hemisphere and the poplar trees consist of 35 natural species the most common type of hardwoods are black cottonwood, quaking aspen, balsam poplars, and eastern cottonwood, which is quite large in size. The aspen tree is the most common type of poplar tree. Red Alder Hardwood Trees

These Red Alder Hardwood Trees are deciduous trees that are native to the western United States, and those trees have bars that are scraped or bruised and that are often a brown-reddish colorway giving them the name Red alder hardwood. The red alders are quite tall such as 105 feet in height, the leaves can get 6 inches in length and they have cone-like dry fruit, also the red alders are used for making furniture, cabinetries, etc. Sweetgum Hardwood trees

The Sweetgum trees get up to 130 feet in height and the colors of their leaves are yellow-orange, and bright red which makes them striking trees, and their fruit is called a gumball. This Sweetgum hardwood smells great and has 15 various Species and deciduous trees which are both used for ornamental reasons and in the wood industries. Tupelo Hardwood Trees

Tupelo Trees are also called Pepperidge trees, these hardwood trees contain only 10 species and they can be found in Mainland China, Eastern Tibet, and North America.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hardwood trees are an essential resource for construction and woodworking industries due to their strength, durability, and natural beauty. The unique properties of each hardwood tree make them ideal for specific applications, and understanding the various types of hardwood trees is critical for selecting the right wood for a specific project. From the classic oak and maple to the exotic teak and ebony, there is a hardwood tree suitable for every construction or woodworking project. By considering the color, texture, and grain pattern of each hardwood, one can achieve a desired aesthetic and create a lasting, high-quality product. Whether you are building furniture, flooring, cabinetry, or any other woodworking project, choosing the right hardwood tree can make a significant difference in the final result.

FAQs:

What is hardwood?Hardwood refers to a type of wood from angiosperm trees, which are trees that produce seeds with a covering or fruit. Hardwood is typically denser and more durable than softwood, which comes from gymnosperm trees.What are some common types of hardwood?Some common types of hardwood include oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, ash, and walnut.How do I choose the right type of hardwood for my project?The right type of hardwood will depend on your project and your preferences. Consider factors such as color, grain pattern, density, durability, and cost. You may also want to think about the environment in which the wood will be used, as some types of hardwood are better suited to certain climates or applications.How do I care for hardwood?To care for hardwood, avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity levels. Keep it clean by dusting regularly and using a wood cleaner as needed. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could scratch or damage the surface. You May Also Like: - Which Is Best Wood For Furniture | 8 Types of Wood For Funiture | Types of Wood Furniture - Difference Between Wood and Timber | What Is Wood | What Is Timber | What Is Lumber - How To Remove Mold From Wood | How To Clean Mold Off Wood | How To Kill Mold On Wood  - How to Remove Stain from Wood (Best 9 DIY Tips & Tricks) Read the full article

[xtruss]

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose during their meeting in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. (Photo: Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The West's Dangerously Simple-Minded Narrative About Russia and China

The overwrought fear of China and Russia is sold to a Western public through manipulation of the facts.

— By Jeffrey D. Sachs | August 23, 2022

The world is on the edge of nuclear catastrophe in no small part because of the failure of Western political leaders to be forthright about the causes of the escalating global conflicts. The relentless Western narrative that the West is noble while Russia and China are evil is simple-minded and extraordinarily dangerous. It is an attempt to manipulate public opinion, not to deal with very real and pressing diplomacy.

Europe should reflect on the fact that the non-enlargement of NATO and the implementation of the Minsk II agreements would have averted this awful war in Ukraine.

The essential narrative of the West is built into US national security strategy. The core US idea is that China and Russia are implacable foes that are "attempting to erode American security and prosperity." These countries are, according to the US, "determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

The irony is that since 1980 the US has been in at least 15 overseas wars of choice (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Panama, Serbia, Syria, and Yemen just to name a few), while China has been in none, and Russia only in one (Syria) beyond the former Soviet Union. The US has military bases in 85 countries, China in 3, and Russia in 1 (Syria) beyond the former Soviet Union.

President Joe Biden has promoted this narrative, declaring that the greatest challenge of our time is the competition with the autocracies, which "seek to advance their own power, export and expand their influence around the world, and justify their repressive policies and practices as a more efficient way to address today's challenges." US security strategy is not the work of any single US president but of the US security establishment, which is largely autonomous, and operates behind a wall of secrecy.

The overwrought fear of China and Russia is sold to a Western public through manipulation of the facts. A generation earlier George W. Bush, Jr. sold the public on the idea that America's greatest threat was Islamic fundamentalism, without mentioning that it was the CIA, with Saudi Arabia and other countries, that had created, funded, and deployed the jihadists in Afghanistan, Syria, and elsewhere to fight America's wars.

Or consider the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in 1980, which was painted in the Western media as an act of unprovoked perfidy. Years later, we learned that the Soviet invasion was actually preceded by a CIA operation designed to provoke the Soviet invasion! The same misinformation occurred vis-a-vis Syria. The Western press is filled with recriminations against Putin's military assistance to Syria's Bashar al-Assad beginning in 2015, without mentioning that the US supported the overthrow of al-Assad beginning in 2011, with the CIA funding a major operation (Timber Sycamore) to overthrow Assad years before Russia arrived.

Or more recently, when US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recklessly flew to Taiwan despite China's warnings, no G7 foreign minister criticized Pelosi's provocation, yet the G7 ministers together harshly criticized China's "overreaction" to Pelosi's trip.

The Western narrative about the Ukraine war is that it is an unprovoked attack by Putin in the quest to recreate the Russian empire. Yet the real history starts with the Western promise to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not enlarge to the East, followed by four waves of NATO aggrandizement: in 1999, incorporating three Central European countries; in 2004, incorporating 7 more, including in the Black Sea and Baltic States; in 2008, committing to enlarge to Ukraine and Georgia; and in 2022, inviting four Asia-Pacific leaders to NATO to take aim at China.

Nor do the Western media mention the US role in the 2014 overthrow of Ukraine's pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych; the failure of the Governments of France and Germany, guarantors of the Minsk II agreement, to press Ukraine to carry out its commitments; the vast US armaments sent to Ukraine during the Trump and Biden Administrations in the lead-up to war; nor the refusal of the US to negotiate with Putin over NATO enlargement to Ukraine.

Of course, NATO says that is purely defensive, so that Putin should have nothing to fear. In other words, Putin should take no notice of the CIA operations in Afghanistan and Syria; the NATO bombing of Serbia in 1999; the NATO overthrow of Moammar Qaddafi in 2011; the NATO occupation of Afghanistan for 15 years; nor Biden's "gaffe" calling for Putin's ouster (which of course was no gaffe at all); nor US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stating that the US war aim in Ukraine is the weakening of Russia.

At the core of all of this is the US attempt to remain the world's hegemonic power, by augmenting military alliances around the world to contain or defeat China and Russia. It's a dangerous, delusional, and outmoded idea. The US has a mere 4.2% of the world population, and now a mere 16% of world GDP (measured at international prices). In fact, the combined GDP of the G7 is now less than that of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), while the G7 population is just 6 percent of the world compared with 41 percent in the BRICS.

There is only one country whose self-declared fantasy is to be the world's dominant power: the US. It's past time that the US recognized the true sources of security: internal social cohesion and responsible cooperation with the rest of the world, rather than the illusion of hegemony. With such a revised foreign policy, the US and its allies would avoid war with China and Russia, and enable the world to face its myriad environment, energy, food and social crises.

Above all, at this time of extreme danger, European leaders should pursue the true source of European security: not US hegemony, but European security arrangements that respect the legitimate security interests of all European nations, certainly including Ukraine, but also including Russia, which continues to resist NATO enlargements into the Black Sea. Europe should reflect on the fact that the non-enlargement of NATO and the implementation of the Minsk II agreements would have averted this awful war in Ukraine. At this stage, diplomacy, not military escalation, is the true path to European and global security.

Jeffrey D. Sachs is a University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he directed The Earth Institute from 2002 until 2016. He is also President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and a commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Development. He has been advisor to three United Nations Secretaries-General, and currently serves as an SDG Advocate under Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Sachs is the author, most recently, of "A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American Exceptionalism" (2020). Other books include: "Building the New American Economy: Smart, Fair, and Sustainable" (2017) and "The Age of Sustainable Development," (2015) with Ban Ki-moon.

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Some misc. ship requests from some friends on discord!! Part 2/2!