#crop insurance awareness

[townpostin]

Divisional Cooperative Maha Sammelan in Jamshedpur Boosts Farmer Support

Agriculture Minister distributes assets worth ₹4.85 crore to beneficiaries Jamshedpur’s Divisional Level Cooperative Maha Sammelan highlighted government initiatives to empower farmers and cooperative societies. JAMSHEDPUR – The Divisional Level Cooperative Maha Sammelan was conducted at the Ravindra Bhawan auditorium in Sakchi, with Agriculture Minister Deepika Pandey Singh serving as the…

[thedansemacabres]

Introduction To Supporting Sustainable Agriculture For Witches and Pagans

[ID: An image of yellow grain stocks, soon to be harvested. The several stocks reach towards a blurred open sky, focusing the camera on he grains themselves. The leaves of the grains are green and the cereals are exposed].

PAGANISM AND WITCHCRAFT ARE MOVEMENTS WITHIN A SELF-DESTRUCTIVE CAPITALIST SOCIETY. As the world becomes more aware of the importance of sustainability, so does the duty of humanity to uphold the idea of the steward, stemming from various indigenous worldviews, in the modern era. I make this small introduction as a viticulturist working towards organic and environmentally friendly grape production. I also do work on a food farm, as a second job—a regenerative farm, so I suppose that is my qualifications. Sustainable—or rather regenerative agriculture—grows in recognition. And as paganism and witchcraft continue to blossom, learning and supporting sustainability is naturally a path for us to take. I will say that this is influenced by I living in the USA, however, there are thousands of groups across the world for sustainable agriculture, of which tend to be easy to research.

So let us unite in caring for the world together, and here is an introduction to supporting sustainable/regenerative agriculture. 

A QUICK BRIEF ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE 

Sustainable agriculture, in truth, is a movement to practise agriculture as it has been done for thousands of years—this time, with more innovation from science and microbiology especially. The legal definition in the USA of sustainable agriculture is: 

The term ”sustainable agriculture” (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:

A more common man’s definition would be farming in a way that provides society’s food and textile needs without overuse of natural resources, artificial supplements and pest controls, without compromising the future generation’s needs and ability to produce resources. The agriculture industry has one of the largest and most detrimental impacts on the environment, and sustainable agriculture is the alternative movement to it. 

Sustainable agriculture also has the perk of being physically better for you—the nutrient quality of crops in the USA has dropped by 47%, and the majority of our food goes to waste. Imagine if it was composted and reused? Or even better—we buy only what we need. We as pagans and witches can help change this. 

BUYING ORGANIC (IT REALLY WORKS)

The first step is buying organic. While cliche, it does work: organic operations have certain rules to abide by, which excludes environmentally dangerous chemicals—many of which, such as DDT, which causes ecological genocide and death to people. Organic operations have to use natural ways of fertilising, such as compost, which to many of us—such as myself—revere the cycle of life, rot, and death. Organic standards do vary depending on the country, but the key idea is farming without artificial fertilisers, using organic seeds, supplementing with animal manure, fertility managed through management practices, etc. 

However, organic does have its flaws. Certified organic costs many, of which many small farmers cannot afford. The nutrient quality of organic food, while tending to be better, is still poor compared to regeneratively grown crops. Furthermore, the process to become certified organic is often gruelling—you can practise completely organically, but if you are not certified, it is not organic. Which, while a quality control insurance, is both a bonus and a hurdle. 

JOINING A CSA

Moving from organic is joining a CSA (“Community supported agriculture”). The USDA defines far better than I could: 

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), one type of direct marketing, consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.

By purchasing a farm share, you receive food from the farm for the agreed upon production year. I personally enjoy CSAs for the relational aspect—choosing a CSA is about having a relationship, not only with the farmer(s), but also the land you receive food from. I volunteer for my CSA and sometimes I get extra cash from it—partaking in the act of caring for the land. Joining a CSA also means taking your precious capital away from the larger food industry and directly supporting growers—and CSAs typically practise sustainable and/or regenerative agriculture. 

CSAs are also found all over the world and many can deliver their products to food deserts and other areas with limited agricultural access. I volunteer from time to time for a food bank that does exactly that with the produce I helped grow on the vegetable farm I work for. 

FARM MARKETS AND STALLS 

Another way of personally connecting to sustainable agriculture is entering the realm of the farm stall. The farmer’s market is one of my personal favourite experiences—people buzzing about searching for ingredients, smiles as farmers sell crops and products such as honey or baked goods, etc. The personal connection stretches into the earth, and into the past it buries—as I purchase my apples from the stall, I cannot help but see a thousand lives unfold. People have been doing this for thousands of years and here I stand, doing it all over again. 

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Farmers’ markets are dependent on your local area, yet in most you can still develop personal community connections. Paganism often stresses community as an ideal and a state of life. And witchcraft often stresses a connection to the soil. What better place, then, is purchasing the products from the locals who commune with the land? 

VOLUNTEERING 

If you are able to, I absolutely recommend volunteering. I have worked with aquaponic systems, food banks, farms, cider-making companies, soil conservation groups, etc. There is so much opportunity—and perhaps employment—in these fields. The knowledge I have gained has been wonderful. As one example, I learned that fertilisers reduce carbon sequestration as plants absorb carbon to help with nutrient intake. If they have all their nutrients ready, they do not need to work to obtain carbon to help absorb it. This does not even get into the symbiotic relationship fungi have with roots, or the world of hyphae. Volunteering provides community and connection. Actions and words change the world, and the world grows ever better with help—including how much or how little you may provide. It also makes a wonderful devotional activity. 

RESOURCING FOOD AND COOKING 

Buying from farmers is not always easy, however. Produce often has to be processed, requiring labour and work with some crops such as carrots. Other times, it is a hard effort to cook and many of us—such as myself—often have very limited energy. There are solutions to this, thankfully:

Many farmers can and will process foods. Some even do canning, which can be good to stock up on food and lessen the energy inputs. 

Value-added products: farms also try to avoid waste, and these products often become dried snacks if fruit, frozen, etc. 

Asking farmers if they would be open to accommodating this. Chances are, they would! The farmer I purchase my CSA share from certainly does. 

Going to farmers markets instead of buying a CSA, aligning with your energy levels. 

And if any of your purchased goods are going unused, you can always freeze them. 

DEMETER, CERES, VEIA, ETC: THE FORGOTTEN AGRICULTURE GODS

Agricultural gods are often neglected. Even gods presiding over agriculture often do not have those aspects venerated—Dionysos is a god of viticulture and Apollon a god of cattle. While I myself love Dionysos as a party and wine god, the core of him remains firmly in the vineyards and fields, branching into the expanses of the wild. I find him far more in the curling vines as I prune them than in the simple delights of the wine I ferment. Even more obscure gods, such as Veia, the Etruscan goddess of agriculture, are seldom known.

Persephone receives the worst of this: I enjoy her too as a dread queen, and people do acknowledge her as Kore, but she is far more popular as the queen of the underworld instead of the dear daughter of Demeter. I do understand this, though—I did not feel the might of Demeter and Persephone until I began to move soil with my own hands. A complete difference to the ancient world, where the Eleusinian mysteries appealed to thousands. Times change, and while some things should be left to the past, our link to these gods have been severed. After all, how many of us reading know where our food comes from? I did not until I began to purchase from the land I grew to know personally. The grocery store has become a land of tearing us from the land, instead of the food hub it should be.

Yet, while paganism forgets agriculture gods, they have not forgotten us. The new world of farming is more conductive and welcoming than ever. I find that while older, bigoted people exist, the majority of new farmers tend to be LGBT+. My own boss is trans and aro, and I myself am transgender and gay. The other young farmers I know are some flavour of LGBT+, or mixed/poc. There’s a growing movement for Black farmers, elaborated in a lovely text called We Are Each Other’s Harvest. 

Indigenous farming is also growing and I absolutely recommend buying from indigenous farmers. At this point, I consider Demeter to be a patron of LGBT+ people in this regard—she gives an escape to farmers such as myself. Bigotry is far from my mind under her tender care, as divine Helios shines above and Okeanos’ daughters bring fresh water to the crops. Paganism is also more commonly accepted—I find that farmers find out that I am pagan and tell me to do rituals for their crops instead of reacting poorly. Or they’re pagan themselves; a farmer I know turned out to be Wiccan and uses the wheel of the year to keep track of production. 

Incorporating these divinities—or concepts surrounding them—into our crafts and altars is the spiritual step towards better agriculture. Holy Demeter continues to guide me, even before I knew it. 

WANT CHANGE? DO IT YOURSELF! 

If you want change in the world, you have to act. And if you wish for better agriculture, there is always the chance to do it yourself. Sustainable agriculture is often far more accessible than people think: like witchcraft and divination, it is a practice. Homesteading is often appealing to many of us, including myself, and there are plenty of resources to begin. There are even grants to help one improve their home to be more sustainable, i.e. solar panels. Gardening is another, smaller option. Many of us find that plants we grow and nourish are far more potentant in craft, and more receptive to magical workings. 

Caring for plants is fundamental to our natures and there are a thousand ways to delve into it. I personally have joined conservation groups, my local soil conservation group, work with the NRCs in the USA, and more. The path to fully reconnecting to nature and agriculture is personal—united in a common cause to fight for this beautiful world. To immerse yourself in sustainable agriculture, I honestly recommend researching and finding your own path. Mine lies in soil and rot, grapevines and fruit trees. Others do vegetables and cereal grains, or perhaps join unions and legislators. Everyone has a share in the beauty of life, our lives stemming from the land’s gentle sprouts. 

Questions and or help may be given through my ask box on tumblr—if there is a way I can help, let me know. My knowledge is invaluable I believe, as I continue to learn and grow in the grey-clothed arms of Demeter, Dionysos, and Kore. 

FURTHER READING:

Baszile, N. (2021). We are each other’s harvest. HarperCollins.

Hatley, J. (2016). Robin Wall Kimmerer. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. Environmental Philosophy, 13(1), 143–145. https://doi.org/10.5840/envirophil201613137

Regenerative Agriculture 101. (2021, November 29). https://www.nrdc.org/stories/regenerative-agriculture-101#what-is

And in truth, far more than I could count. 

References

Community Supported Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/community-supported-agriculture

Navazio, J. (2012). The Organic seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Plaster, E. (2008). Soil Science and Management. Cengage Learning.

Sheaffer, C. C., & Moncada, K. M. (2012). Introduction to agronomy: food, crops, and environment. Cengage Learning.

Sheldrake, M. (2020). Entangled life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures. Random House.

Sustainable Agriculture | National Agricultural Library. (n.d.). https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/sustainable-agriculture

[seat-safety-switch]

Down by where I used to live when I was a productive member of society, there's a nice steakhouse. Be aware that when I say "nice," I am primarily referring to the ambiance. Everyone in my friend group has jealously informed me that they could make a better steak on an abandoned charcoal grille under a highway overpass. The steak, it seems, is only so-so. You don't go there to eat.

When I went there, when I was the cream of the crop, you attended in order to cut deals. For whatever reason, our brains are hardwired to make it easier to find agreement with another person when we are eating together. It helps if that other person is buying you a moderately nice steak dinner.

This makes sense from a historical perspective: you weren't eating with your enemies. You were primarily eating with your ancient cavepeople bros, sis-es, and theys. Your family, extended family, and in-group. No vicious gorillas pretending to be one of you just long enough to take your money and not deliver on a big new deployment of sump pumps for your upcoming luxury-residential development. Of course, now that humanity is the dominant species on this planet, this mechanism doesn't work too well. I exploited it, because that's what you do when you work in sales.

Sometimes, I think about going back in there and having a nice dinner, just to sell myself on the lie that things are working out. Eat a steak sandwich, bring in a pocket mirror to tell sweet untruths to. Sign a contract telling myself that I'm going to try harder to bring myself success in the future. It sounds pretty good, the kind of thing that might even be worth the money that could better be used on batteries or oil.

Even so, I can't go to the restaurant. The valet can't park my car. It's not that he can't drive stick. It's not even that he can't drive a Lenco sequential drag-racing transmission ratchet-strapped to the inside of a fifty-year-old Mopar unibody made partially of road signs. It's because the restaurant's health insurance does not cover hantavirus (which is fake) or tetanus (which is even more fake) for its part-time employees.

Until I get back on the horse, career-wise, I'll be perfectly happy cooking this stolen dumpster steak on my exhaust headers. The char that you get from a good cast-iron hotside is simply the finest, and if you don't believe me, we'll eat it together and then you can give me a ride to the steakhouse. You're buying.

[insanescriptist]

Im so scared because of this election and what it means for my loved ones and I.

If you're a global nonnie,

I'm sorry; you believed in the intelligence and humanity of the average American voter and were denied both.

Obviously Trump being elected is going to embolden the worst politics; either to use or abuse or both, the world and it's peoples. Not just in the current warring areas, but all over the world.

And remember, Trump is currently 78; he could easily die of natural causes within the next four years. Without Trump's star power, a lot of that momentum will die fast.

If you're in the US nonnie,

If you live in a Blue state, your state's likely to stay Blue, with all that being a Blue state entails

If you live in a Red state, your state is likely to stay Red, with all that being a Red state entails

If you live in a Purple state, it's likely going to swing one way or another and I wish you the best in surviving the politics and the political ads

Further US specifics under the cut

Like I'll be real and say I'm disappointed my state's not more purple, which is the best color anyway (side effect of living in the South; it's very Red Republican politics) but it is what it is; we just gotta live with it or deal with it so... most posts I've seen going around have focused on the importance of letting yourself grieve, choosing an issue to focus on and avoiding burnout. I think I'll focus on awareness somewhat. Just things to watch out for. Because there's going to be all sorts of obnoxious crowing and cawing about everything. I'll touch on things and if I had the time and energy, I'd link to various stories and sites but most of what I'll say here is easy enough to verify in broad strokes with a couple of internet searches.

If you're worried about the economy... yeah that's a valid worry and probably not the way you're thinking. You're thinking another trade war (Mexico would love it if there is btw, they benefited off of the last one and the Farmers who had soy in their fields as part of that rotation lost so much money) which would be ow for the US again, but mostly survivable as trade wars only focus either a trade good or trade partnership. The lesser issue but more concerning, Trump will slash anything he wants (regulations mostly) to ensure an economic boon because that's what people want and will notice by year 2 and 3 of his second term. What they'll celebrate. That and cheap gas. What they won't notice for a couple years is the further loosening of food regs (see all the recent food recalls and outbreaks) and what people won't notice for decades is the infrastructure issues (building regs for housing and ofc infrastructure in general.) There's also the various other safety regs and requirements built into the laws, no matter how shitty it is ie workman's comp. Regs are built in blood but business don't care if their money is bloody. But yeah, these reg slashes are going to crop up with after effects for absolute decades afterwards. Don't believe me? You should watch more housing renovation programs; there's various types of plumbing and electrical regulations that can absolutely date your house. And yes, the housing insurance companies can spot them and also not tell you about them, but certainly charge you for the increased risk. That's just for the housing regs btw. Industrials regs concern entire industries, like how much carbon your car can emit to be considered eco-friendly to what sort of pipes can be laid out where. No one wants to be the next Flint, Michigan but it could easily happen and probably with something else. There's buildings made less than 50 years ago that are made with materials considered unsafe by standards now. There's also banking shit to consider with businesses and housing. The oodles of various office and retail space unused which um. The banks care a lot about unused office space that can't even be refit into human housing. Empty retail space can eventually be filled with another business. Empty offices less so now that more businesses are less tied to the office as a place. (Reduces other business' overhead.) Banks hate having empty unprofitable buildings in their portfolio, but at least the interest rates are back to "normal" percentages. Like I won't get into the the money generation/shuffle game that's going on with the US debt, other than 2.4% is sustainable for political purposes and not humanitarian purposes, because boy would it be nice to slash the national debt. Really make the dollar worth something that way. Sure, I'll take getting paid more, but I'd sure like to be able to also buy more with my pay. Because foodstuff is still going high because of various supply issues due to climate issues, the newest banana plague, in addition to many, many recalls. Like does no one remember the arson going around various meat farms several years ago? The various poultry farms ended because of avian flu? Long story short, the food prices are still so high because supply is pretty fucked up. Stores have been jumping through so many hoops to get supplied, that the logistics people are probably Olympic level rhythm dancers by now. Which is an additional complication to the whole ongoing recall issues whenever there's a bad batch of anything. They're a bit too busy ensuring supply to always have all the documentation in order. Which obviously, recalls work best when stores know which products to pull. More economic news though, Trump is going to be so good for businesses. And so bad for the people.

If you're worried about your medical health, that's also a valid worry. Especially with his comments on various known vaccines. Like the standard ones we've had for ages. Might wanna get those touched up. Medical red tape is annoying to wade through at the best of times but he's not in office yet, so plan accordingly. Make the most use of your health benefits this year and next year (they're already set for the year), since the year after will be once he's in office and things will obviously shift to some degree with whatever health insurance you've got, if any. A little medical debt in prevention is more than worth the expense of cure later. Get the cavities seen to. Get that pap smear. Refresh your vaccinations. Do your tests, get your bloodwork ran and go through it bit by bit. Take your damn vitamins. (And your meds.) Because again, those regulations? Those are going to get more loosey-goosey. In some things. More tight on some things than others. It's going to vary by state politics. Like my state for example does allow for birth control but not for abortion. Would I like abortion to be an option, yes, because my state is terrible about supporting families after the birth of a child beyond WIC and SNAP benefits. Daycare waiting lists can be over a year and maternity/paternity leave is something of a joke depending on what/who you work for. About the only solid boon I can think of would be Trump's loosening of the health regs, that might entice some nurses back to nursing, easing that lack of human resources in the health care system. As a red state, there were so so so many nurses I've talked to that quit/retired rather than take a booster shot for Covid or even the original Covid shot. Which is a whole different story, but not for here.

If you're worried about your public safety because you're part of a vulnerable/minority population? Yeah, be concerned. Trump's political leanings and what he says emboldens all kinds of impulses in the worst people. So they might actually go through with impulses they wouldn't otherwise act on. The KKK might try to recruit again. Which I wish was a joke, but they actually did try to have a public, local to Izzy, meet during Trump's previous term; they got scared off by the locals. So general advice Look at travel recommendations/warnings when going through parts of the US. Plan trips carefully. Consider moving to friendlier places if able, take precautions if unable or unwilling. Keep to a buddy system. Stay with friends in public. Make your plans for if the worst happens so you don't anxiety spiral. Know who to crash with in an emergency How to get copies of your important documents if they're all ash or being held by another party etc. I know no one really does this nowadays but know your emergency contact's phone number!!! Still very important information. Your phone can be dead, lost, stolen or confiscated and along with all the data on it and with it. (Those phone cases with the wallet attachment? How delightful, a lost phone that has a wallet attached, especially one with a photo ID of any kind is a golden goose for anyone looking to do a little identity theft. Because in order to call to put cancels/holds on all your cards, you've gotta have a phone.) Also as a reminder, your biggest and best shield is your confidence; the moment you act like prey, you'll be treated as such by those looking for targets. Do your murder strut and your main problem will be people asking you for directions and grannies trying to get you to go to church.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Pat Byrnes

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

October 20, 2024

Heather Cox Richardson

Oct 21, 2024

I had hoped to write tonight about the farm bill, which Eric Hovde, running for the Senate from Wisconsin although it’s not clear he lives there, could not talk about in the debate between him and incumbent senator Tammy Baldwin on Friday. “I’m not an expert on the farm bill because I'm not in the U.S. Senate at this point in time,” Hovde said. “So I can’t opine specifically on all aspects of the farm bill.” 

The farm bill is one of our most important pieces of legislation. It establishes the main agricultural and food policies of the government, covering price supports for farm products, especially corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, dairy, and sugar; crop insurance; conservation programs; and nutritional programs for 41 million low-income Americans, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps. It must pass every five years but has been held up by Republican extremists in the House and is now in limbo. One would think that anyone running for Senate should know it pretty well, especially in Wisconsin, where in 2022 farms produced $16.7 billion in agricultural products.

Perhaps this is why the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has endorsed Baldwin, the first Democrat in nearly twenty years to receive their support.

But I cannot take tonight to explain the really quite interesting history of the farm bill (and why it contains our nutrition programs) because the real story of today is that the Republican candidate for president is not mentally able to handle the job of the presidency, and Republican leaders are trying to cover up that reality. 

These two stories are related.

That same quest for power that appears to be driving Hovde to seek a Senate seat without knowing anything about a bill that is hugely important to the people he would be representing appears to be preventing Republican leaders from admitting that their 78-year-old candidate has lost the mental capacity necessary for managing the most powerful nation in the world, including its vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons. 

The United States has guardrails to prevent an incapacitated president from exercising power.

The question of what to do when a president was unable to do his job was not really a major question until the post–World War II years. While presidents before then had been weakened—notably, Woodrow Wilson had had a stroke—medical care was poor enough that those presidents who sustained life-threatening injuries tended to die from them fairly quickly. At the same time, the difficulties of the travel necessary for a national political career made politics a young man’s game, so there really weren’t rumblings of mental incapacity from age.

But Republican president Dwight Eisenhower had seen the grave damage military leaders could do when they were incapacitated and unaware of their inability to evaluate situations accurately, and knew that the commander-in-chief must have a system in place to be replaced if he were unable to fulfill the mental requirements of his position. 

Eisenhower took office in 1953, and two years later, he suffered a heart attack. Vice President Richard Nixon and members of the Cabinet agreed to a working plan to conduct business while the president recovered, but presidential assistant Sherman Adams noted that the crisis left everyone “uncomfortably aware of the Constitution's failure to provide for the direction of the government by an acting President when the President is temporarily disabled and unable to perform his functions.”

When Eisenhower went on to need an abdominal operation and then to have a minor stroke, concerns mounted. As Congress discussed a solution, Eisenhower took matters into his own hands. He drafted an informal agreement that he presented to Nixon. If the president became temporarily unable to do the duties of the office, the document gave to the vice president the power of “Acting President.”

The need to figure out what would happen if modern medicine could keep alive an incapacitated president became apparent after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Not only did the question of a president’s incapacity have to be addressed; so did the problem of succession. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was falsely rumored to have had a heart attack, and both the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate were old and doubted that they could adequately fulfill the duties of the presidency themselves.

Congress’s solution was the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution, providing a system by which either the president or, if they were unable to realize their incapacity, members of the executive branch would transfer the powers of the president to the vice president. Eisenhower enthusiastically backed the idea that the nation should have coverage for a disabled president.

To anyone paying attention, it is clear that Trump is not in any shape to manage the government of the United States of America. He is canceling interviews and botching the ones he does sit for, while falling asleep at events where he is not actually speaking. He lies incessantly even when hosts point out that his claims have been debunked, and cannot answer a question or follow a train of thought. And his comments of the weekend—calling the vice president a “sh*t vice president,” telling a woman to get “your fat husband off the couch” to vote for him, and musing about a famous golfer’s penis—indicate that he has no mental guardrails left.

Today, in what apparently was designed to show Trump as relatable and to compete with the story that Vice President Harris worked at a McDonalds when she was in college, Trump did a photo op at a McDonalds in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where he took prepared fries out of the fryolator. It was an odd moment, for Trump has never portrayed himself as a man of the people so much as a man to lead the people, and the picture of him in a McDonald’s apron undercuts his image as a dominant leader. 

But in any case, it was all staged: the restaurant was closed, the five “customers” were loyalists who had practiced their roles, and when Trump handed food through the drive-through window, he did not take money or make change.

"Now I have worked at McDonald's," he said afterward. "I've now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala."

The fact that someone on Trump’s campaign leaked to Politico that he is “exhausted” is almost certainly a sign that people down the ranks are deeply concerned about his ability to finish the campaign, let alone run the country. But party leaders continue to stand behind him, raising echoes of their staunch support during Trump’s two impeachment trials.

In 2019 the House of Representatives impeached Trump for his attempt to coerce Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and pervert the security of the United States to steal an election. The evidence was so overwhelming that Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) noted: “Out of one hundred senators, you have zero who believe you that there was no quid pro quo. None. There’s not a single one.” But Republican senators—except Mitt Romney (R-UT), who voted to convict on one count—nonetheless acquitted Trump. “This is not about this president. It’s not about anything he’s been accused of doing,” Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told his colleagues. “It has always been about November 3, 2020. It’s about flipping the Senate.”

Trump’s second impeachment by the House in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection ended similarly. In the Senate, McConnell refused to change the schedule to enable the Senate to vote before a new president was inaugurated, thus giving himself, as well as other Republican senators, an out to vote against conviction on the grounds that Trump was no longer the president. Seven Republican senators joined the Democrats to convict, but forty-three continued to back Trump. In a speech after the vote, McConnell said he believed Trump was responsible for the January 6, 2021, attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election but that he would have to answer for that behavior in court. 

But nearly four years later, Trump has not had to answer in court because the Supreme Court, stacked with his appointees thanks to Republican senators, has said that he cannot be prosecuted for crimes committed as part of his official duties. While the courts sort out what counts as official duties, he is, once again, the Republican nominee for president. Leaders are standing behind him despite the fact he is demonstrating deeply concerning behavior.

When President Joe Biden decided not to accept the Democratic presidential nomination after his poor performance in his June debate with Trump, Republicans demanded that Vice President Harris and the Cabinet invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment, despite the fact that Biden’s job performance continued to be exemplary. We learned later that during the time of the debate, he was negotiating a historic prisoner swap involving multiple countries to free twenty-four prisoners, including Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.

Nonetheless, that one poor debate performance was enough for Republicans to condemn Biden’s ability to govern the nation. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) told the Fox News Channel that “Joe Biden has decided he isn’t capable of being a candidate; in so doing his admission also means he cannot serve as President.” 

But Trump has been lying that immigrants are eating pets; calling voters fat pigs; basing his economic policy on a backward idea of how tariffs work; calling for prosecuting his enemies and making the civil service, military, and judiciary loyal to him; and praising a famous golfer’s “manhood”—hardly indications of a man able to take on the presidency of the United States. 

And yet with regard to his mental acuity, Republican leaders offer only crickets.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[misfitwashere]

October 20, 2024 

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

OCT 21

I had hoped to write tonight about the farm bill, which Eric Hovde, running for the Senate from Wisconsin although it’s not clear he lives there, could not talk about in the debate between him and incumbent senator Tammy Baldwin on Friday. “I’m not an expert on the farm bill because I'm not in the U.S. Senate at this point in time,” Hovde said. “So I can’t opine specifically on all aspects of the farm bill.” 

The farm bill is one of our most important pieces of legislation. It establishes the main agricultural and food policies of the government, covering price supports for farm products, especially corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, dairy, and sugar; crop insurance; conservation programs; and nutritional programs for 41 million low-income Americans, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps. It must pass every five years but has been held up by Republican extremists in the House and is now in limbo. One would think that anyone running for Senate should know it pretty well, especially in Wisconsin, where in 2022 farms produced $16.7 billion in agricultural products.

Perhaps this is why the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has endorsed Baldwin, the first Democrat in nearly twenty years to receive their support.

But I cannot take tonight to explain the really quite interesting history of the farm bill (and why it contains our nutrition programs) because the real story of today is that the Republican candidate for president is not mentally able to handle the job of the presidency, and Republican leaders are trying to cover up that reality. 

These two stories are related.

That same quest for power that appears to be driving Hovde to seek a Senate seat without knowing anything about a bill that is hugely important to the people he would be representing appears to be preventing Republican leaders from admitting that their 78-year-old candidate has lost the mental capacity necessary for managing the most powerful nation in the world, including its vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons. 

The United States has guardrails to prevent an incapacitated president from exercising power.

The question of what to do when a president was unable to do his job was not really a major question until the post–World War II years. While presidents before then had been weakened—notably, Woodrow Wilson had had a stroke—medical care was poor enough that those presidents who sustained life-threatening injuries tended to die from them fairly quickly. At the same time, the difficulties of the travel necessary for a national political career made politics a young man’s game, so there really weren’t rumblings of mental incapacity from age.

But Republican president Dwight Eisenhower had seen the grave damage military leaders could do when they were incapacitated and unaware of their inability to evaluate situations accurately, and knew that the commander-in-chief must have a system in place to be replaced if he were unable to fulfill the mental requirements of his position. 

Eisenhower took office in 1953, and two years later, he suffered a heart attack. Vice President Richard Nixon and members of the Cabinet agreed to a working plan to conduct business while the president recovered, but presidential assistant Sherman Adams noted that the crisis left everyone “uncomfortably aware of the Constitution's failure to provide for the direction of the government by an acting President when the President is temporarily disabled and unable to perform his functions.”

When Eisenhower went on to need an abdominal operation and then to have a minor stroke, concerns mounted. As Congress discussed a solution, Eisenhower took matters into his own hands. He drafted an informal agreement that he presented to Nixon. If the president became temporarily unable to do the duties of the office, the document gave to the vice president the power of “Acting President.”

The need to figure out what would happen if modern medicine could keep alive an incapacitated president became apparent after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Not only did the question of a president’s incapacity have to be addressed; so did the problem of succession. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was falsely rumored to have had a heart attack, and both the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate were old and doubted that they could adequately fulfill the duties of the presidency themselves.

Congress’s solution was the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution, providing a system by which either the president or, if they were unable to realize their incapacity, members of the executive branch would transfer the powers of the president to the vice president. Eisenhower enthusiastically backed the idea that the nation should have coverage for a disabled president.

To anyone paying attention, it is clear that Trump is not in any shape to manage the government of the United States of America. He is canceling interviews and botching the ones he does sit for, while falling asleep at events where he is not actually speaking. He lies incessantly even when hosts point out that his claims have been debunked, and cannot answer a question or follow a train of thought. And his comments of the weekend—calling the vice president a “sh*t vice president,” telling a woman to get “your fat husband off the couch” to vote for him, and musing about a famous golfer’s penis—indicate that he has no mental guardrails left.

Today, in what apparently was designed to show Trump as relatable and to compete with the story that Vice President Harris worked at a McDonalds when she was in college, Trump did a photo op at a McDonalds in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where he took prepared fries out of the fryolator. It was an odd moment, for Trump has never portrayed himself as a man of the people so much as a man to lead the people, and the picture of him in a McDonald’s apron undercuts his image as a dominant leader. 

But in any case, it was all staged: the restaurant was closed, the five “customers” were loyalists who had practiced their roles, and when Trump handed food through the drive-through window, he did not take money or make change.

"Now I have worked at McDonald's," he said afterward. "I've now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala."

The fact that someone on Trump’s campaign leaked to Politico that he is “exhausted” is almost certainly a sign that people down the ranks are deeply concerned about his ability to finish the campaign, let alone run the country. But party leaders continue to stand behind him, raising echoes of their staunch support during Trump’s two impeachment trials.

In 2019 the House of Representatives impeached Trump for his attempt to coerce Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and pervert the security of the United States to steal an election. The evidence was so overwhelming that Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) noted: “Out of one hundred senators, you have zero who believe you that there was no quid pro quo. None. There’s not a single one.” But Republican senators—except Mitt Romney (R-UT), who voted to convict on one count—nonetheless acquitted Trump. “This is not about this president. It’s not about anything he’s been accused of doing,” Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told his colleagues. “It has always been about November 3, 2020. It’s about flipping the Senate.”

Trump’s second impeachment by the House in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection ended similarly. In the Senate, McConnell refused to change the schedule to enable the Senate to vote before a new president was inaugurated, thus giving himself, as well as other Republican senators, an out to vote against conviction on the grounds that Trump was no longer the president. Seven Republican senators joined the Democrats to convict, but forty-three continued to back Trump. In a speech after the vote, McConnell said he believed Trump was responsible for the January 6, 2021, attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election but that he would have to answer for that behavior in court. 

But nearly four years later, Trump has not had to answer in court because the Supreme Court, stacked with his appointees thanks to Republican senators, has said that he cannot be prosecuted for crimes committed as part of his official duties. While the courts sort out what counts as official duties, he is, once again, the Republican nominee for president. Leaders are standing behind him despite the fact he is demonstrating deeply concerning behavior.

When President Joe Biden decided not to accept the Democratic presidential nomination after his poor performance in his June debate with Trump, Republicans demanded that Vice President Harris and the Cabinet invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment, despite the fact that Biden’s job performance continued to be exemplary. We learned later that during the time of the debate, he was negotiating a historic prisoner swap involving multiple countries to free twenty-four prisoners, including Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.

Nonetheless, that one poor debate performance was enough for Republicans to condemn Biden’s ability to govern the nation. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) told the Fox News Channel that “Joe Biden has decided he isn’t capable of being a candidate; in so doing his admission also means he cannot serve as President.” 

But Trump has been lying that immigrants are eating pets; calling voters fat pigs; basing his economic policy on a backward idea of how tariffs work; calling for prosecuting his enemies and making the civil service, military, and judiciary loyal to him; and praising a famous golfer’s “manhood”—hardly indications of a man able to take on the presidency of the United States. 

And yet with regard to his mental acuity, Republican leaders offer only crickets.

—

[its-all-or-nothing94]

Like a Hurricane // JJ Maybank x OC - Part 2

Summary: The Pogues stumble upon something out in the marsh. Of course, in their honor of duty, they try to report it - but it seems once again, they don't wanna be heard.

Masterlist - Part 1

Warnings: language, use of alcohol / drugs

Pairing: JJ Maybank x OC

A/N: Here you go with the next part :) If someone wanna be tagged, let me know :)

The moment Sky's eyes flickered open the next morning, she sensed the day was going to be a colossal mess. Her gaze shifted to the ceiling, spotting leaks, and outside, a tree lay uprooted, its roots exposed like open veins. A quick check of her phone confirmed her suspicions: no service, no power. Just great.

Pulling on short sweatpants and a cropped shirt, she stepped out of her room, immediately spotting JJ sprawled on the couch, his words from the night before echoing in her mind, "Maybe I'm tired of pretending that I haven't thought about it. About you."

Taking a deep breath, she was interrupted by John B emerging from his room, fiddling with the light switch. "Already tried... There's no power," she informed him, earning a raised eyebrow in response.

"Shit," he muttered, striding past a drowsy JJ. "Yo, JJ, you been outside?"

JJ mumbled face-down into the cushion. "I have polio, bro. I can't walk."

Sky couldn’t help but chuckle. "Considering you act like you're five most of the time, that's fair enough," she quipped, following John B outside.

The scene that greeted them was dismal. Trees were uprooted everywhere.

John B's voice broke through her thoughts. "Oh man... That's not good." He headed towards the HMS Pogue, clearing branches, while Sky took in the devastation.

"Agatha sure did a number, huh?" JJ's voice suddenly called out. Sky turned, aware of his gaze lingering on her.

She looked away, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Yeah, she really outdid herself..."

Leaning against the doorframe, mug in hand, JJ watched her. "What you thinkin'?" he asked, clearly aiming the question at John B.

"I'm thinkin' that storm surge pushed all the crabs out on the marsh maze. All those drum are gonna chase the crab." Sky mused, joining John B in tidying the HMS Pogue.

"That's true", Sky agreed.

"What about the DCS? Wasn't that today?" JJ then asked, leaning against a tree, his gaze again on Sky.

"I don't think they'll gettin' on a ferry today..." Sky sighed.

Then John B, leaning on the boat, had a spark in his eyes. "Think about it. It's like God's telling us to fish."

"Yeah," JJ agreed as John B headed back inside. As Sky moved to follow, JJ called out, "Hey, uh, Barb?"

Sky paused, turning back. "Yeah?"

"About last night..." JJ began, scratching his head awkwardly.

Sky cut him off quickly. "Don’t worry about it, JJ. We’re good."

With those words, she walked back inside, leaving JJ standing there, his gaze following her. He wondered if she really believed he'd only spoken those words because he was drunk. Because, hell no. He'd said them because the alcohol had given him the balls to speak his truth finally.

As Sky re-emerged outside, JJ couldn't help but notice her. She always had this effortless charm about her. Tying her hair into a high ponytail, she caught JJ's lingering gaze. "What?" she asked, scrunchie held between her teeth.

"Nothing," JJ replied hastily, just as John B stepped out to join them.

Together, they pushed the boat into the water, jumping aboard. As they navigated through the marsh and deeper into the cut, the ravages of Agatha were unmistakable. Trash littered the water, trees lay uprooted, and boats were displaced haphazardly.

JJ and John B engaged in a conversation about the boats, hoping none of the uninsured ones had sunk, like Guffy's. Meanwhile, Sky lay sprawled on the front deck, basking in the sun's warmth.

"Really hope Guffy's boat made it. No insurance, man," JJ mused, scanning the damaged vessels.

John B nodded in agreement. As they approached a bar, both boys waved enthusiastically. "Hi, Miss Amy!" John B called out, prompting Sky to open her eyes. "You guys all right?"

Amy shouted back with a resilient smile. "Still here," she replied, continuing her clean up.

Sky raised an eyebrow, well aware of the boys' interest in Amy. JJ's next comment seemed to confirm her suspicions. "She totally looked at me."

"I saw it," John B added.

Sky couldn't help but roll her eyes at their banter.

As they continued their journey, Sky, removing her sunglasses, leaned forward to see the extent of the destruction better. "Jeez..." she mumbled under her breath.

"Dude, look at this place," John B exclaimed, his voice a mix of awe and concern.

"Agatha, what have you done?" JJ declared, his tone dripping with theatrical exaggeration.

John B chuckled. "She's one hell of a crazy lady."

"Hardcore, dude."

Sky glanced around, a sense of responsibility settling over her. "We'll be cleaning up all summer, you realize that?" she remarked, turning to face John B and JJ.

"That's my worst nightmare," John B agreed, and Sky nodded in solidarity.

As they approached the Heywards, Sky spotted Pope busy cleaning. "Well, look who we have here," John B said in a teasing tone, mimicking a radio call. "We have a safety meeting. Attendance mandatory."

Sky chuckled at her brother's antics. But she noticed Mr. Heyward's stern expression behind Pope.

"I can't join. My dad's got me on lockdown," Pope explained, gesturing towards his father.

Sky greeted him warmly. "Hey, Mr. Heyward."

"Hello, dear," he responded.

"Come on, man," JJ interjected, pretending to talk into a radio. "Your dad's a pussy. Over."

Mr. Heyward’s annoyance was palpable. "Oh, I heard that you little bastard," he shot back, causing Sky to chuckle again.

"We need your son's help," Sky attempted to reason with Mr. Heyward.

"Yeah, and island rules," JJ added. "Day after a hurricane's a free day."

"And who made that rule?" Mr. Heyward inquired skeptically.

JJ thought for a moment. "Uh... Pentagon, I think. We have security clearance. Want to see my card?"

"Y'all think I'm stupid?" Mr. Heyward asked, hands on his hips, unamused.

Pope turned to his dad. "I'll do it tomorrow, I promise. Tomorrow."

"No, no. Hell no. You're doing it right now," his father insisted.

"Get in the boat," John B whisper-shouted to Pope.

"Make a run for it," JJ urged.

In a swift move, Pope leaped onto the boat, continuing to argue with his dad, who declared his distaste for Pope's friends. Sky waved at Mr. Heyward, offering him an apologetic smile as they pulled away.

Upon their arrival at Kiara's place, Sky stood up, grabbing her bag.

"Where do you think you're going?" JJ inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Sky glanced at him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Work, obviously. Someone's got to earn the cash for all these repairs."

JJ watched her, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.

As they neared Kiara's bar, she was already there, her smile as welcoming as the morning sun.

"Oh, top o' the morning to ya," John B greeted her cheerfully.

"Good morning, boys. Sky," Kiara returned the greeting. "Oh, Sky, my parents said they don’t need you today," she added, a hint of apology in her tone.

Surprised but unbothered, Sky shrugged and took a seat. "Morning... Okay, well, be my guest."

John B's attention was drawn to the portable freezer Kiara had brought. "What you got there? Juice boxes?"

Kiara responded with a playful smile. "Just some yogurts and carrot sticks."

"How about my kind of juice box?" JJ chimed in, half-joking.

With a knowing grin, Kiara produced a few beers and handed them out to her friends.

They raised their cans in a toast, the air filled with the promise of a good time. Sky looked up, a sense of contentment washing over her. Despite the challenges, they were together, and that was all that mattered.

As the boat glided through the marsh, JJ leaned back, his arm casually draped over the side. He caught Sky's eye and flashed his trademark grin.

"Hey, Barb, ever think about trading in your surfboard for a fishing rod? I could teach you a thing or two," he teased his tone light but with an undercurrent of something more.

Sky laughed, rolling her eyes. "And give up the thrill of the waves for sitting around waiting for a fish to bite? Not likely, Bando."

"But you see, fishing's all about patience, something I think you could learn from me," JJ replied, his gaze holding hers for a moment longer than necessary.

"Patience, huh?" Sky smirked. "I never took you for the patient type, especially when it comes to... certain activities."

The air between them crackled with unspoken words, a playful yet meaningful exchange. JJ's smile widened, a twinkle in his eye.

"Guess there's a lot you don't know about me, Barb. I'm full of surprises."

Kiara, observing from her seat, couldn't miss the subtext. JJ's usual flirtatious demeanor seemed to carry an added layer of sincerity when directed at Sky. And Sky, though seemingly dismissive, responded with a certain warmth, a shared understanding that spoke of a deeper connection.

The banter continued, each exchange a dance of words and glances, a testament to their long-standing camaraderie, yet hinting at possibilities unexplored.

Pope and John B had changed, with Pope now at the helm. The atmosphere was relaxed until JJ stood up at the front, signaling the start of his usual antics.

"Hey, Pope. Can you go a little faster?" JJ called out with a grin.

"Here we go. I'm movin'." Pope, slightly annoyed but playing along, accelerated. The wind whipped through Sky's hair, a sense of exhilaration in the air.

"Doesn't work," John B commented dryly, watching JJ lift his beer.

"I've got this. It's gonna work!" Undeterred, JJ declared confidently, as he attempted to pour the beer from a distance, aiming for his mouth.

The beer splattered everywhere, dousing Sky. "JJ, stop! I'm gonna smell like a brewery," she complained, wiping her face.

"You're getting beer in my hair!", Kiara protested, trying to shield herself.

"All right, alright! You're done!" John B intervened, stepping forward.

"Stop it, JJ!" Sky added. But suddenly, the boat jerked to a halt, causing chaos onboard. JJ was catapulted into the water with an involuntary somersault while the others were thrown off balance. Sky hit the deck hard.

"Jesus, Pope!" Sky hissed, sitting up and rubbing her sore spot. She peered over the railing. "JJ, you alright?"

In the water, JJ groaned. "I think my heels touched the back of my head."

John B helped Kiara, who had been flung against the side. "Kie, you good?"

"I'm all right."

"Pope, what did you do?" John B then wants to know.

"Sandbar. The channel changed", Pope explained, clearly apologetic.

"No shit," Sky muttered, annoyed.

"Ugh, this is probably gonna mess this whole place up," John B observed, scanning the surroundings.

JJ, swimming back to the boat, announced triumphantly, "Hey, I saved the beer, though."

"Congrats, JJ," John B responded, his tone lacking enthusiasm.

Then Pope's voice cut through the chatter. "Guys... I think there's a boat down there." 

"Shut up," John B said, his annoyance evident.

"What?" JJ perked up, intrigued.

"No, no, guys. I'm serious. There's a boat down there", Pope said.

Sky joined Pope to get a better look. "Shit, he's right, guys. I can see it", Sky said.

"Okay, let's go," Kiara suggested, beginning to strip off her clothes.

Sky followed suit, peeling off her top and shorts under JJ's gaze, which Kiara caught and raised an eyebrow at. JJ quickly averted his eyes. Then, one by one, they dove into the water, swimming down towards the mysterious submerged boat.

As they gathered around the spot where the boat lay submerged, JJ's excitement was palpable. "You guys saw that?"

Sky nodded in agreement. "Yeah, hard to miss."

Kiara chimed in, equally intrigued. "Yeah, I did."

"What the..." John B trailed off, his gaze fixed on the water.

"That's a Grady-White," JJ remarked, almost reverently. "A new one of those is like 500 Gs, easy."

They swam back to the boat, each lost in thought. Sky was the first to climb aboard, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Okay! That's a primo rig," JJ declared, climbing up after Sky.

"Yeah," John B agreed, a glint of adventure in his eyes. "That's the boat I saw when I surfed the surge. Maybe it hit the jetty or something."

"You surfed the surge?" Kiara asked, disbelief coloring her tone.

JJ glanced at Sky, seeking her reaction, then beamed proudly. "That's my boy. Pogue style." They high-fived, a moment of shared bravado.

"What the heck?" Kiara's astonishment mirrored Sky's own.

Pope, the rational one, asked, "Do we know whose boat that is?"

"No, but we're about to find out," John B said confidently, catching Sky's eye.

"Dude, it's too deep," JJ protested, as John B prepared the anchor.

"Oh, for the weak and feeble, JJ," John B teased, earning a chuckle from Sky, as he took out the anchor.

"I'm not resuscitating you," JJ shot back. "Just so we're clear."

"That's fine," John B replied, diving in.

"Diver down, fool," Pope echoed John B's words.

"Yeah, he is," JJ said, giving John B a shove into the water, which earned him a slight clap on the back of his head by Sky.

Sky and the others watched anxiously, waiting for John B to resurface. Finally, he broke the surface, coughing.

"Oh, my God. That took forever!" Kiara exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.

"Ah, jeez," JJ muttered, looking at Sky, who shook her head in amusement.

"Any dead bodies?" Pope's question was met with silence.

"Looting potential?" JJ half-joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"No. No. I found this motel key," John B revealed, holding up the key.

"A key," Pope repeated, puzzled.

"Yes, a key, Pope," John B confirmed, dripping water.

"Great! We salvaged a motel key," JJ said, his sarcasm drawing a smirk from Sky.

"Guys, we should report the wreck to the coast guard. Maybe we'll get a finder's fee," Kiara suggested.

They drove off, the boat slicing through the water. Sky sat quietly, pondering the implications of their discovery.

"Yeah, and not work all summer," JJ mused. "Thanks, Agatha, ya batch."

Sky couldn't help but laugh at JJ's comment, the tension of the moment dissolving into the warm camaraderie that defined the Pogues.

On their way back to the Cut, the Pogues' boat cut through the water, the mood a mix of excitement and anticipation. JJ, seizing the moment, leaned closer to Sky.

"Hey, Barb, after all this hurricane madness, you think you'd wanna catch a wave with me? Just us?" he asked, his tone half-joking, half-hopeful.

Sky rolled her eyes playfully. "Sure, Bandolero, because what I really need after a hurricane is more chaos," she teased, a hint of a smile on her lips.

JJ grinned, not deterred by her playful jab. "Chaos is my middle name, babe."

As they reached the shore, the scene was chaotic, with police and emergency tents set up everywhere. The Pogues disembarked, heading straight for an emergency tent where people were reporting lost items and damages.

"Excuse me, we found something out in the marsh," John B began, trying to get the attention of an officer.

The officer, overwhelmed and busy, barely glanced at them. "If it's not a life-or-death situation, please wait your turn."

"But we found a boat, a Grady-White. It might be important," Kiara added, trying to convey the urgency.

The officer, clearly frazzled, responded dismissively. "Right now, we're dealing with emergencies. Please wait."

John B, frustrated, turned to the group. "Let's get out of here. They're not listening."

As they left the tent, Sky muttered under her breath, "Great, found a freaking boat, and no one gives a shit."

JJ, trying to lighten the mood, nudged her. "Hey, at least we had our own little adventure, right, Barb?"

Sky couldn't help but smirk at JJ's relentless optimism. "Sure, JJ. Our own little disaster within a disaster."

As they walked away, the group couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and determination. They had stumbled upon something big, and they were going to get to the bottom of it, emergency tent or not.

Pope, shaking his head at their recent encounter, asked, "Well, that went well. So, what's the plan?"

John B, holding up the motel key with a sense of purpose, declared, "I know how we're gonna find the guy who owns that boat."

Pope looked skeptical. "No, no, we don’t even know whose room that is. It could be anyone."

JJ, always the one to dive headfirst into adventure, grabbed the keys from John B and tossed them to Sky. "I’m in," he said, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Kiara, ever the strategist, chimed in, "Come on. I'll be lookout."

As they began to walk past Pope, Sky, catching the key with ease, added, "Finder’s fee. Just sayin’." Her tone was light, but her eyes were serious.

John B, sensing Pope's hesitation, tried to reassure him. "And, hey, you'll only be an accomplice."

Pope let out a resigned sigh. "Man."

"Come on, Bubba," John B encouraged, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

The group moved with a shared sense of determination, their steps echoing their resolve. They were the Pogues, after all, and a little mystery was just another day in their book.

[vibinwiththefrogs]

What's the Deal with Cotton?

For @rangerofthesouth , I don't work with cotton but we just went over all this in my field crop class and how we grow cotton feels very bizarre? Keep reading below for stuff on GMOs and cotton farming.

As far as I can tell cotton is probably one of the most technology-intensive crops we grow in the US. Not necessarily physical technology as in equipment, but gene technology (GMOs), breeding, and chemical use. It has all the standard things used on it that other industrial row crops have, such as herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides. But it also has GMO traits and needs to be treated with plant growth regulators (PGRs), and defoliant before harvest.

So it turns out, cotton is a perennial plant. So if the weather is right it will just keep growing into something of a bush/tree sort of thing. But when grown as a crop they get treated with PGRs to slow/stop vegetative growth and to trigger reproductive growth (aka, the flowers that form into cotton bolls). Link to a picture of a guy with cotton not treated with PGRs on time below.

There's multiple kinds of GMOs. The big ones are traits added for herbicide/chemical resistance in the plant (such as Roundup Ready), and then there's pest resistance which usually is the Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) trait. Bt is a bacteria that will infect insects if they feed on the plant, killing them off or deterring them. As far as I'm aware the big GMO crops in the US are soybeans, corn, and cotton; As well please note cotton production is very different across the world, I'm strictly speaking about the US.

What kind of crazy about pest resistant GMOs though, is it was touted around as an end to pesticides for a while. There was a quote I heard somewhere though that goes something like "if you're in a war and you have weaponry but the other side has evolution, the other side is going to win". Basically, insects started developing a resistance to Bt. And so different types of Bt traits keep getting stacked on one another to keep it effective, and currently we're up to 3 stacked Bt traits (see chart below, its from my class lol). Only the upper most trait on this chart is still effective, the others aren't.

What's nuts about this, is that cotton farmers are paying for every stacked gene even if they're ineffective. According to my prof a bag of conventional untreated cotton seed is ~$100, while GMO cotton is ~$600 a bag. The price of cotton off the field is really bad too, as far as I last heard its $0.70/1 lb. There's more numbers than this but as you can imagine with chemical applications, gas for equipment, and fertilizer, its looking not profitable. And so the US cotton industry is hella subsidized and there's so many government programs to keep it alive because many farmers cannot survive growing cotton without the subsidies.

I don't know a whole lot other than this because I've only just begun looking at cotton, but here's some questions and things I'm thinking about. First, clearly we need a whole system change because everything conventional ag brings out to stop the pests and weeds causes resistance development; chemicals and genes are helpful technologies, but only when used carefully within other non-chemical pest management strategies. We're currently deepening a major environmental and agricultural crisis with ag chemical usage. Second, I really want to look more into the legal side of things with government crop subsidies and insurance because it really seems to be the core things propping up all this for multiple crops (corn and soybeans included). And then, what would cotton look like in an alternative agricultural system? Personally I've only ever seen it as a conventional row crop.

[haggishlyhagging]

Agricultural fertility is a matter of vital concern to the peoples of the ancient world, who cannot take fertility for granted and believe that fertility is fragile. Ancient religions provide a way to participate in the creation of fertile abundance and to ensure its continuation. They address a human desire to do everything possible to make the earth fertile and to make the crops grow. In Mesopotamian thinking, labor is divinely ordained and, indeed, the purpose for which humans were created. The gods give humankind the tools of labor and instruct the people on their use. Actual work, however, is only one sphere of activity. The ancient pagan religions also provided a cult of fertility in which people sang, danced, and performed other rituals in order to experience and aid the perpetuation of nature.

It was not ignorance that impelled people to perform these rituals, for they were practiced long after the neolithic revolution, long after the ancients learned that if you put a seed in the ground it will grow, long after people domesticated plants and animals to ensure their food supply. But the ancient farmers were also very aware that sometimes you could put a seed in the ground and it wouldn't grow. The ground might be too saline, or the birds might eat the seed, or locusts might devour the growing plants, the weather conditions might not be right, the earth might have become contaminated. There are so many reasons that a seed might not grow that it is a miracle every time it really does so. Pagan religions celebrated this miracle by offering a ritual life through which one can participate in this miracle. Of course. the fertility ritual does not really "cause" fertility—if it could, rituals would not have to be repeated. But in performing these rituals, the celebrants acknowledge their dependence on fertility and their desire to participate in assuring the continuation of the natural cycle.

Pagan prayers and rituals reflect the idea that fertile abundance is the result of harmonious interaction among various powers in the cosmos. Cultic acts and liturgy may propitiate the various divine powers and facilitate their joining together. In Sumerian cult, this conjoining was achieved sexually in the ritual of the sacred marriage. In later periods, even when sacred marriage was no longer part of the official state cult, it clearly continued in sacred and popular literature. Was there ever a time in which fertility and vegetation were thought to come directly from the womb of the earth mother? This claim, very often assumed in modern recreations of paganism, can only be true (if at all) for the prehistoric period. There may be prehistoric evidence from Old Europe and possibly from Çatal Hüyük that the mother-goddess had this vital function and the all-powerful position that results from it. The historical evidence, from the writings of Sumer and Babylon, indicates that the conceptualization of fertility was much more complex than the simple idea of earth mother and her womb. There are certainly goddesses of vegetation, and the breast of the goddess Nisaba is sometimes considered the source of grain. But more common are the many indications that fertility required many gods, and that no one god was able to insure it. Agricultural abundance depended on an interaction of forces and their divine embodiments, upon the fertility of the earth and its fertilization by water, and upon the joining of the power of life with the exercise of agriculture. This conjoining of forces could be aided by sexual activities on the fertile bed, sexual intercourse into the body of the young nubile goddesses. Even when sexual union is not part of the ritual, this union of forces is the essential metaphysical idea.

-Tikva Frymer-Kensky, In the Wake of the Goddesses: Women, Culture, and the Biblical Transformation of Pagan Myth

[townpostin]

Birsa Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna Launched in Jamshedpur

DC Ananya Mittal flags off awareness campaign for farmer insurance scheme Jamshedpur launches crop insurance scheme to empower farmers economically, applications due by August 31. JAMSHEDPUR – The Birsa Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna was officially launched in Jamshedpur by Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, who flagged off an awareness campaign vehicle. The awareness campaign vehicle will…

[renee-writer]

All's Fair Chapter 3

AO3

After six months, two surgeries, a cast on most of her lower body, and months of rehab, she is released to go home. She is anxious to get out of hospital but not to return to her Uncle Lamb’s home without him.  She knows from Nubia  that he is buried in the Egyptian style, along with Yussef. Now all that is left to do is grief.

 

Honorably discharged from His Majesty ‘s service, she heads home. Susan meets her at the door and helps her to her new room on the bottom floor. There she collapses on the bed and sobs, for Uncle Lamb and Yussef, for her parents, for all the soldiers, airmen, and others that she has seen die.

 

As the months went by, she grows used to living in Uncle Lamb ‘s home. With a stipend from the army, as well as, money provided by his estate for the upkeep of the house, she is able to take time to decide what she wants to do.

 

Botany or healthcare? She ponders which to finish her degree in.

 

The book from Geillis is a treasure. It amazes her to think it has been around since the 1600’s. So many plants that were available for healing! Plants that were indigenous to England and Scotland, some she wasn’t sure are still around. On those, she made notes on, planning on looking them up.

 

One day as she sat going over the notes, sipping a cup of tea, she hears a knock on the door.  Raising with her brand new cane, she goes to answer it.

 

Her cane, found in a local  charity shop, with a head of amber containing a dragonfly, was necessary. Her legs are still unsteady and shoes are a near impossibility, worn only when she must. For the house, it is slippers that she slips on, on the way to the door.

 

She opens it to a tall, redheaded man who reminds her of the gods in the Cairo museum. Though none have cropped red hair and stand alive at her doorstep.

 

He bows to her, his blue eyes sparkling, “ Mistress  Claire Beauchamp?”

 

“Yes, how may I help you?”

 

“Mistress Beauchamp, I am James Fraser Esquire. Myself and my partner, Ned Gowan Esquire, are in charge of your late uncle’s estate. We are quite sorry for your loss and offer heartfelt condolences. He was a great man. If you have time, I would like to come in a discuss the disposition of his estate.” He takes a breath and continues, “apologies for not phoning ahead. I am in Oxford for only a few days. I was brought here on other business and hoped to see you at the same time.”

 

She steps aside, inviting him in. His presence was another reminder of her loss. Tears gathered but none fall as she asks, “Would you care for some tea Mr. Fraser?”

 

“That would be lovely. Thank you.” She leads him to the table where he rests his briefcase. Turning back after fetching another cup, she sees he has removed a stack of papers out of it, as thick as a book. Her eyes grow wide.

 

“Miss Beauchamp, were you aware of the size of your uncle’s estate?”

 

She is shaking her head as she answers, “No, Mr. Fraser. Uncle Lamb took care of everything. There is an account that sees to the incidentals here and I get a stipend from the army for my injury. That is all I am aware of.”

 

“Mr. Gowan and myself were sorry to hear of your injury and pray you are feeling better and fully heal.”

 

She nods and sets the small tray of biscuits in the middle of the table. “I was injured taken care of soldiers. An honor to have served.”

 

He nods. “Aye. I would have enjoyed the honor of service to King and country. Unfortunately a back injury disqualified me.” He looks to the tray of biscuits, reaches for one before pulling his hand back, “May I?”

 

She smiles and nods. “Yes. Help yourself.”

 

He does. “Back to business. Your uncle owned this house here, your parent’s  house in Inverness. His home in Egypt has been gifted to his friend ‘s mam, Nubia. This house and your parents, you inherit. There is also three life insurance policies. One for each of your parents, one for Lamb. Between them they pay out 5,000,000 pounds sterling, all to you. Ah, let’s see…” He ruffles the papers as she sits stunned. She has no idea about any of these.

 

“A bank account in Edinburgh worth £3,000,000, the antiques in both houses that are valued at £3,000,000 more, if you wished to sell them. There are several museums awaiting your decision on that.

 

You can sell the Inverness house and live here or sell this house and live in Edinburgh. It is fully up to you. We can see all the money placed in one account of a bank of your choice or leave it in several. I will place your Uncle ‘s life insurance policy in the Edinburgh bank where both himself and your parents held accounts. There is also a small, ah, not a farm but a place to grow things, one second,” He searches through the papers, “ah here it is, a flower shop with a greenhouse attached.”

 

He remembered, she thinks. He knew my interest in plants and provided for it. She swallows back more tears.

 

“It was purchased two years before you went to war with a Miss Mary MacNab seeing to it’s care.” He keep looking through the will. “Oh, you have a stack in Lallybroch, my family estate. Your uncle and my father are, err were, very close friends . I didn’t know that “ He looks up from the papers, “May I trouble you to use your phone and ring my dad?”

 

“Of course.” She stands and points to where it sits. He raises, gives her a half bow and heads over to it.

 

“Da, I am at the home of a Mistress Claire Beauchamp going over her late uncle’s  estate, a Mr. Quinton Lambert Beauchamp.”

 

“Lamb, aye, I was so sorrowed by his passing.” Brian replies.

 

“Aye, it seems he owns  25 percent of our horse breeding program.”

 

“Aye son. We needed the capital to get started. As he was a good mate…”

 

“Mistress Claire has ownership now. I will see the profit to her account.”

 

“A good lass, is she, Jamie?”

 

“Aye da. I will see you and mam after I finish my business in Oxford.” He rings off.

 

“Sorry about that. I just wasn’t aware my da needed money to get our horse breeding business started. I would have helped, would he have came to me.”

 

“I am sure Uncle Lamb was happy to. He was a very giving soul.”

 

“Aye,” he gives her a smile, “The profits from your stake will be added to the account. Do you have any questions for me?”

 

She can’t think of any, her mind to overwhelmed by all she has found out. “Not right now. This is a lot to take in. Uncle Lamb and I lived simply. I would never suspect that he would leave this much, making me a very wealthy woman. Oh, one question, if I decide to sell this house, what is the house in Inverness like?”

 

“I can check into that when I return to Scotland. From what I can recall, it is one story with three or four rooms and a few loos. The shop is very near it. Would that be something you are interested in?”

 

“I am not sure right now. Will need time to think on it. Is there anything I need to sign?”

 

“Not right now,” he gathers up the papers, placing them back in his briefcase, “before I leave Oxford, I will return with the papers needing signatures. It was a pleasure to meet you Miss Beauchamp. If you have any questions before I return, you can reach my office,” he hands her a card and their hands glaze. She feels a tingle at the contact, something she has never felt before, “ah, they can reach me, Miss Beauchamp.”

 

“Please, call me Claire.”

 

“Claire, call me Jamie then.” They stand, grinning at each other.

 

“Well, I must be off, Claire. I shall see you in a few days.”

 

“Yes Jamie.” She walks him to the door.

 

Susan prepares supper. She offers to help but she insists that she rest.

 

After dinner, there is a banging on the door. Claire raises, confused by who would be so rude at that time of night. Then she hears Frank.

 

“Claire , Claire, why didn’t you tell me you were injured?”

 

She opens the door. “Frank, I wrote you and told you. You never wrote me back. Oh, a German soldier toke your ring.” She holds her hand out, “Where have you been and why didn’t you write me back?” she demands.

 

“I was out in the field collecting intelligence. I just heard of your ambush.”

 

She rolls her eyes. “Frank, you are lying. I was hurt eight months ago. We lost eight British officers. You are telling me you didn’t know that?”

 

“Claire, I never got a letter from you.”

 

“No, you just never read them. Go away Frank. I don’t need you in my life.” She shuts the door in his face.

 

She then picks up the phone. Reaching the operator, she gives her the number on the card Jamie gave her. Jamie called back in less then an hour.

 

“Mr. Fraser, Jamie, you can put this house on the market. I wish to move to Inverness.”

 

Jamie is smiling as they ring off.

[xinrenresearch]

Africa Agritech Market: Trends, Drivers, and Opportunities

The Africa agritech market is experiencing a transformative wave as technology meets agriculture, unlocking new potential for farmers and agribusinesses across the continent. With a rapidly growing population and increasing demand for food security, this market is ripe for innovation. This report explores the current landscape, highlighting key trends, challenges, opportunities, and market drivers.

Full Report At: https://www.xinrenresearch.com/regional-reports/africa-agritech-market/

Market Dynamics of Agritech in Africa

The agritech market in Africa is evolving due to a confluence of factors, including advancements in technology, changing consumer preferences, and the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices. As African nations strive for food security and improved agricultural productivity, agritech solutions are stepping in to bridge the gap.

Innovations such as precision agriculture, mobile apps for farming advice, and automated farming equipment are gaining traction. These technologies not only enhance productivity but also contribute to sustainable farming practices that are vital for the continent's future.

Key Market Drivers

Population Growth and Urbanization Africa's population is projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, leading to increased food demand. Urbanization further drives the need for efficient agricultural practices to ensure food security for growing urban populations.

Technological Advancements The rise of digital technology, including mobile phones and the internet, is revolutionizing agriculture in Africa. Farmers now have access to valuable information, market prices, and weather forecasts, enabling better decision-making and increased productivity.

Government Initiatives Many African governments are implementing policies to promote agritech adoption. These initiatives include funding for research and development, subsidies for technology adoption, and partnerships with private sector players to foster innovation.

Investment from Private Sector There is a surge in investment from venture capital firms and agribusinesses looking to tap into the African agritech space. This influx of funding supports startups and established companies in developing innovative solutions tailored to local agricultural challenges.

Climate Change and Sustainability As climate change poses significant threats to agriculture, there is a pressing need for sustainable practices. Agritech solutions, such as drought-resistant crops and efficient water management systems, help farmers adapt to changing conditions while promoting environmental sustainability.

Key Trends in the Africa Agritech Market

Precision Agriculture The adoption of precision agriculture technologies is on the rise. Farmers are utilizing data analytics, satellite imagery, and IoT devices to monitor crop health, optimize resource use, and increase yields.

Digital Platforms for Market Access Digital platforms are connecting farmers with consumers, enabling direct sales and reducing reliance on middlemen. These platforms enhance transparency and improve farmers’ income by giving them access to broader markets.

Agri-Fintech Solutions Financial technology tailored for agriculture is gaining momentum. Innovative financing solutions, such as microloans and insurance products, are helping farmers access capital and manage risks effectively.

Challenges Facing the Market

Despite its potential, the Africa agritech market faces several challenges. Limited access to technology and infrastructure in rural areas can hinder adoption. Additionally, regulatory hurdles and lack of awareness among farmers about available technologies can slow market growth. Ensuring that solutions are affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers remains a significant challenge.

Opportunities for Growth

The future of the Africa agritech market is promising. As technology continues to evolve and investment increases, the potential for agritech solutions to transform the agricultural landscape is immense. Companies that focus on developing affordable, scalable, and user-friendly technologies will likely thrive in this emerging market.

Conclusion

The Africa agritech market is at a critical turning point. With a growing population, increasing demand for food security, and the rise of innovative technologies, the potential for growth is substantial. By embracing agritech solutions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Africa can revolutionize its agricultural sector and pave the way for a sustainable future.

This market represents more than just agricultural innovation; it embodies the hope for a food-secure Africa. Those who seize the opportunities and address the challenges will play a crucial role in shaping the continent's agricultural landscape for generations to come.

More Reports At : https://www.xinrenresearch.com/

[mrsinghtowing]

Securing Your Investment: Luxury Car Towing Service Experts in Moorabbin

Luxury cars are a large investment. These are not just for mere transportation but also as status and style statements. Whenever car problems start to crop up, securing your luxury car safely would be at the top of your mind. This is when you will need expert luxury car towing service professionals in Moorabbin.

Why Luxury Car Towing Services?

Luxury car towing requires extra care. This is because luxury cars are mainly full of sophisticated devices. Therefore, luxury car owners require sending through well-experienced towing services to handle all this delicacy.

1. Specialized Equipment

Luxury car towing companies have heavy machinery that is designed with a large space for luxury cars. The flatbed tow truck is commonly utilized to prevent the destruction of the tires or suspension system in the car. This will help in maintaining the car's integrity during transport.

2. Fully Equipped Crews

When it comes to luxury car towing in Moorabbin, the people handling this would typically include professionals who know the luxuries and the complications of the high-end vehicle. These professionals are aware of how to secure and move luxury cars within the best-smooth experience from start to finish. The risk of damages during the towing process is significantly decreased with their expertise.

3. Peace of Mind

You feel that peace of mind knowing that your luxury vehicle is in the hands of experts. Mostly, customers with luxury vehicles fear the damage their vehicle might suffer during tow, which, when left to experienced towing experts, their anxiety can be washed out. Experts in towing ensure safety and your investment.

What to Look for Luxury Car Towing Services

Seeking luxury car towing, here are some factors to make sure you get the best service.

1. Reputation and Experience

Choose a recognized car tow service that can handle luxury cars. Online review sites and testimonies should be checked to measure the level of satisfaction regarding customer care. Experienced companies will be able to boast a good record of delivering exemplary service 

2. Insurance Coverage

Check that the towing company is fully insured. Such insurance will protect your vehicle in case of an accident occurring while towing. In such cases, it is a professionally reacting insured service provider that can ensure the well-protected investment.

3. Round the clock service

Luxury car towing gone wrong can happen at any hour of the day or night. The best company that offers a luxury car towing service operates 24/7, always there to rescue you, at whatever hour, in any circumstance. No person can overestimate the worth of good towing services in the time of crisis.

4. Pricing Clarity

You need to talk to the customer beforehand about your pricing so that there would not be an unpleasant surprise afterwards. Any professional and reliable luxury car towing service would provide you with an estimate and a detailed breakdown of the costs so you really know what you're paying for. True pricing transparency would reflect on the integrity and professionalism of the company in question.

The Towing Process: Expecting the Best

Learning about the towing process can really alleviate worries in case of a car breakdown.

Initial Contact: When you call that Moorabbin luxury car towing service, you give them the details surrounding your vehicle and its condition in order for them to be adequately prepared and respond accordingly.

Once the towing team arrives, they will take a keen look at the situation, determine how best to tow your luxury car to safety.

Safe Transportation: The vehicle is placed on a flatbed tow truck, and utmost care is exercised in loading the vehicle. The professionals take proper care that nothing goes wrong in the transportation.

Delivery and Final Checking: When the towing team reaches the destination, they unload the vehicle with caution and put it in a safe position. They make final checking if anything has gone wrong in the course of transportation.

Conclusion

Luxury cars are indeed a great investment which implies that they deserve nothing but the best. Towing luxury cars with experts based in Moorabbin protects your car from other adverse circumstances when you need them most. Qualified staffed, own high technology equipment, and ensuring client satisfaction guarantee with luxury car towing services. With a good service provider, the assurance of luxury vehicles is that their needs are well taken care of.Choose Mr. Singh Towing for dedicated and reliable service.

[yourreddancer]

Heather Cox Richardson   10.20

Heather Cox Richardson   10.20

I had hoped to write tonight about the farm bill, which Eric Hovde, running for the Senate from Wisconsin although it’s not clear he lives there, could not talk about in the debate between him and incumbent senator Tammy Baldwin on Friday. “I’m not an expert on the farm bill because I'm not in the U.S. Senate at this point in time,” Hovde said. “So I can’t opine specifically on all aspects of the farm bill.” 

The farm bill is one of our most important pieces of legislation. It establishes the main agricultural and food policies of the government, covering price supports for farm products, especially corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts, dairy, and sugar; crop insurance; conservation programs; and nutritional programs for 41 million low-income Americans, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps.

It must pass every five years but has been held up by Republican extremists in the House and is now in limbo. One would think that anyone running for Senate should know it pretty well, especially in Wisconsin, where in 2022 farms produced $16.7 billion in agricultural products.

Perhaps this is why the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has endorsed Baldwin, the first Democrat in nearly twenty years to receive their support.

But I cannot take tonight to explain the really quite interesting history of the farm bill (and why it contains our nutrition programs) because the real story of today is that the Republican candidate for president is not mentally able to handle the job of the presidency, and Republican leaders are trying to cover up that reality. 

These two stories are related.

That same quest for power that appears to be driving Hovde to seek a Senate seat without knowing anything about a bill that is hugely important to the people he would be representing appears to be preventing Republican leaders from admitting that their 78-year-old candidate has lost the mental capacity necessary for managing the most powerful nation in the world, including its vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons. 

The United States has guardrails to prevent an incapacitated president from exercising power.

The question of what to do when a president was unable to do his job was not really a major question until the post–World War II years. While presidents before then had been weakened—notably, Woodrow Wilson had had a stroke—medical care was poor enough that those presidents who sustained life-threatening injuries tended to die from them fairly quickly. At the same time, the difficulties of the travel necessary for a national political career made politics a young man’s game, so there really weren’t rumblings of mental incapacity from age.

But Republican president Dwight Eisenhower had seen the grave damage military leaders could do when they were incapacitated and unaware of their inability to evaluate situations accurately, and knew that the commander-in-chief must have a system in place to be replaced if he were unable to fulfill the mental requirements of his position. 

Eisenhower took office in 1953, and two years later, he suffered a heart attack. Vice President Richard Nixon and members of the Cabinet agreed to a working plan to conduct business while the president recovered, but presidential assistant Sherman Adams noted that the crisis left everyone “uncomfortably aware of the Constitution's failure to provide for the direction of the government by an acting President when the President is temporarily disabled and unable to perform his functions.”

When Eisenhower went on to need an abdominal operation and then to have a minor stroke, concerns mounted. As Congress discussed a solution, Eisenhower took matters into his own hands. He drafted an informal agreement that he presented to Nixon. If the president became temporarily unable to do the duties of the office, the document gave to the vice president the power of “Acting President.”

The need to figure out what would happen if modern medicine could keep alive an incapacitated president became apparent after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Not only did the question of a president’s incapacity have to be addressed; so did the problem of succession. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson was falsely rumored to have had a heart attack, and both the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate were old and doubted that they could adequately fulfill the duties of the presidency themselves.

Congress’s solution was the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the Constitution, providing a system by which either the president or, if they were unable to realize their incapacity, members of the executive branch would transfer the powers of the president to the vice president. Eisenhower enthusiastically backed the idea that the nation should have coverage for a disabled president.

To anyone paying attention, it is clear that Trump is not in any shape to manage the government of the United States of America. He is canceling interviews and botching the ones he does sit for, while falling asleep at events where he is not actually speaking. He lies incessantly even when hosts point out that his claims have been debunked, and cannot answer a question or follow a train of thought. And his comments of the weekend—calling the vice president a “sh*t vice president,” telling a woman to get “your fat husband off the couch” to vote for him, and musing about a famous golfer’s penis—indicate that he has no mental guardrails left.

Today, in what apparently was designed to show Trump as relatable and to compete with the story that Vice President Harris worked at a McDonalds when she was in college, Trump did a photo op at a McDonalds in the swing state of Pennsylvania, where he took prepared fries out of the fryolator. It was an odd moment, for Trump has never portrayed himself as a man of the people so much as a man to lead the people, and the picture of him in a McDonald’s apron undercuts his image as a dominant leader. 

But in any case, it was all staged: the restaurant was closed, the five “customers” were loyalists who had practiced their roles, and when Trump handed food through the drive-through window, he did not take money or make change.

"Now I have worked at McDonald's," he said afterward. "I've now worked for 15 minutes more than Kamala."

The fact that someone on Trump’s campaign leaked to Politico that he is “exhausted” is almost certainly a sign that people down the ranks are deeply concerned about his ability to finish the campaign, let alone run the country. But party leaders continue to stand behind him, raising echoes of their staunch support during Trump’s two impeachment trials.

In 2019 the House of Representatives impeached Trump for his attempt to coerce Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and pervert the security of the United States to steal an election. The evidence was so overwhelming that Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) noted: “Out of one hundred senators, you have zero who believe you that there was no quid pro quo. None. There’s not a single one.” But Republican senators—except Mitt Romney (R-UT), who voted to convict on one count—nonetheless acquitted Trump. “This is not about this president. It’s not about anything he’s been accused of doing,” Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) told his colleagues. “It has always been about November 3, 2020. It’s about flipping the Senate.”

Trump’s second impeachment by the House in January 2021 for incitement of insurrection ended similarly. In the Senate, McConnell refused to change the schedule to enable the Senate to vote before a new president was inaugurated, thus giving himself, as well as other Republican senators, an out to vote against conviction on the grounds that Trump was no longer the president. Seven Republican senators joined the Democrats to convict, but forty-three continued to back Trump. In a speech after the vote, McConnell said he believed Trump was responsible for the January 6, 2021, attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election but that he would have to answer for that behavior in court. 

But nearly four years later, Trump has not had to answer in court because the Supreme Court, stacked with his appointees thanks to Republican senators, has said that he cannot be prosecuted for crimes committed as part of his official duties. While the courts sort out what counts as official duties, he is, once again, the Republican nominee for president. Leaders are standing behind him despite the fact he is demonstrating deeply concerning behavior.  (NOTE : Disgusting sycophants!!)

When President Joe Biden decided not to accept the Democratic presidential nomination after his poor performance in his June debate with Trump, Republicans demanded that Vice President Harris and the Cabinet invoke the Twenty-fifth Amendment, despite the fact that Biden’s job performance continued to be exemplary. We learned later that during the time of the debate, he was negotiating a historic prisoner swap involving multiple countries to free twenty-four prisoners, including Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan.

Nonetheless, that one poor debate performance was enough for Republicans to condemn Biden’s ability to govern the nation. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) told the Fox News Channel that “Joe Biden has decided he isn’t capable of being a candidate; in so doing his admission also means he cannot serve as President.” 

But Trump has been lying that immigrants are eating pets; calling voters fat pigs; basing his economic policy on a backward idea of how tariffs work; calling for prosecuting his enemies and making the civil service, military, and judiciary loyal to him; and praising a famous golfer’s “manhood”—hardly indications of a man able to take on the presidency of the United States. 

And yet with regard to his mental acuity, Republican leaders offer only crickets.

[ezivoteofficial]

CHALLENGES THAT ARE AFFECTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN INDIA

1. HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES

• Access to Technology Rural Coverage: Only 30% of rural areas have access to telemedicine. Urban vs. Rural: 60% of urban population uses advanced healthcare tech vs. 20% in rural areas. • Affordability of Innovations High Costs: New technologies can be 3–5 times more expensive than traditional methods. Insurance Coverage: Only 20% of health insurance plans cover innovative treatments. • Integration of Systems HER Implementation: Less than 25% of hospitals use integrated HER systems. Interoperability Issues: 70% of healthcare providers report challenges in system integration. • Skilled Workforce Shortage Training Gap: 65% of healthcare professionals lack training in new technologies. Retention Rate: 50% of healthcare workers leave rural positions within 2 years. • Regulatory Challenges Approval Delays: Average time for tech approval is 18–24 months. Regulatory Updates: Less than 30% of regulations adapt to emerging technologies. • Public Awareness Awareness Levels: Only 35% of the population is aware of telehealth services. Misinformation Impact: 45% report confusion over new health technologies.

2.CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT EFFECT

• Coastal Erosion Vulnerable Coastlines: 20 million people live in areas at risk of coastal flooding by 2030. Loss of Land: Coastal areas eroding at a rate of 1–2 meters per year. • Air Quality Pollution Levels: 14 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India. Health Impact: 1.2 million deaths annually attributed to air pollution-related diseases. • Water Scarcity Diminishing Resources: 60% of Indian rivers are polluted; 50% of urban areas face water scarcity. Groundwater Depletion: 70% of groundwater sources are over-exploited. • Biodiversity Loss Species Threatened: Over 500 species in India are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss. Forest Cover: Forest cover has decreased by 1.2 million hectares since 2020. • Agricultural Impact Crop Yields: Projected decrease in crop yields by 10–30% by 2050 due to changing climate conditions. Food Security: 25% of the population is at risk of food insecurity. • Heatwaves Rising Temperatures: Average temperature increase of 1.5°C since the 1950s. Health Risks: 20,000 heat-related deaths reported annually. • Extreme Weather Events Increase in Natural Disasters: 30% rise in extreme weather events (floods, heatwaves) since 2020. Economic Loss: Estimated annual losses of $20 billion due to climate-related disasters.

3.RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

• Overall Investment Levels R&D Spending: India’s R&D expenditure is approximately 0.7% of GDP, significantly lower than the global average of 2.5%. Public vs. Private Funding: Only 30% of R&D funding comes from the government, while 70% is from the private sector. • Sector-Specific Funding Healthcare R&D: Funding for healthcare R&D accounts for only 6% of total R&D expenditure. Agricultural R&D: Investment is approximately 0.3% of agricultural GDP, well below the recommended 1%. • Innovation Gaps Patent Filings: India ranks 10th globally in patent filings, indicating limited innovation output. Startups: Over 80% of startups struggle to secure adequate funding for R&D. • Government Funding Trends Budget Allocation: 5% increase in R&D budget from the previous year, but still below targets set in the National Policy on R&D. Delayed Disbursements: Over 40% of allocated funds are often delayed, affecting project timelines. • Collaboration Issues Industry-Academia Linkage: Only 25% of R&D projects involve collaboration between academia and industry. Global Partnerships: Limited participation in international R&D collaborations, with only 15% of researchers engaged. • Human Resource Constraints Skilled Workforce: Shortage of researchers, with only 0.2% of the population engaged in R&D. Retention Issues: High attrition rates in research institutions due to better opportunities abroad. • Regional Disparities Funding Distribution: 70% of R&D funding is concentrated in major cities, leaving rural areas underfunded. State Budgets: Several states allocate less than 1% of their budgets to R&D initiatives.

4.CYBERSECURITY THREATS

1. Increase in Cyber Attacks Rising Incidents: Cyber incidents increased by 45% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Types of Attacks: Phishing and ransomware attacks account for 60% of reported incidents. 2. Data Breaches Personal Data Exposure: Over 200 million records compromised in 2023 alone. Financial Loss: Estimated financial losses from data breaches exceeded $4 billion. 3. Inadequate Cybersecurity Infrastructure Investment Gap: Only 20% of organizations meet basic cybersecurity standards. Public Sector Vulnerabilities: Government agencies face a 35% higher risk of cyber threats due to outdated systems. 4. Lack of Skilled Workforce Talent Shortage: India has a shortage of 1 million cybersecurity professionals. Training Programs: Less than 30% of IT professionals receive specialized cybersecurity training. 5. Regulatory Compliance Challenges Compliance Gaps: Over 50% of organizations struggle to comply with evolving cybersecurity regulations. Penalties and Fines: Increasing regulatory scrutiny leads to fines exceeding $500 million for non-compliance.

5. DIGITAL DIVIDE DIGITAL LITERACY

Internet Access: 50% of rural areas lack reliable internet connectivity. Urban vs. Rural Penetration: 75% of urban population vs. 30% in rural regions.

6.DIGITAL LITERACY

Skill Deficiency: Only 30% of the population has basic digital skills. Youth Training: Less than 20% of students receive formal digital literacy education.

7.SKILL DEVELOPMENT

1. Skill Mismatch Industry Needs vs. Workforce Skills: 60% of employers report a skills gap in the workforce. Unemployment Rate: Youth unemployment stands at 23%, largely due to skill mismatches. 2. Limited Access to Training Training Infrastructure: Only 30% of vocational training centers are adequately equipped. Rural Participation: Less than 20% of rural youth have access to quality skill training programs. 8.AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION ISSUES

• Limited Access to Technology Tech Adoption Rate: Only 30% of farmers use advanced agricultural technologies (e.g., precision farming). Rural Connectivity: 50% of rural areas lack reliable internet access, hindering tech implementation. • Funding and Investment Gaps Investment in R&D: Agricultural R&D receives only 0.3% of total agricultural GDP, below the recommended 1%. Startup Funding: 70% of Agri-Tech startups struggle to secure adequate funding for innovation.

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[ivie-online]

i think there’s elements of everything mentioned above, but also: there’s an inherent precarity to capitalism that is blatantly obvious to all who operate within it. capitalism’s growth mechanism isn’t an ancillary measure, it’s a core element that yes, leads businesses to require greater profits quarter over quarter, but it also does the same to individuals. part of the purpose of this is to ensure resiliency & mitigate risk.

so sure 200k sounds like a ton now, but what happens when the child grows up and the private school their parents dreamed of has, before accounting for inflation, jumped to 120k a year? sure the mortgage is paid off now, but with increasing climate catastrophes, what if they find they need a new house? even with decent insurance, illness has wiped out incredibly well stocked savings accounts. what if 30, 40 years from now, crops fail, or war comes? you might need millions just to be comfortable.

imagine it this way: the wealthy are very aware of how suddenly debt, homelessness, or true, desperate, poverty can occur. so with no social safety net, with no one standing by to offer a hand if things get rough, they turn to their money. the ‘temporarily embarrassed millionaire’ has a corollary: the temporarily accomplished beggar. the rich can’t afford to stop fighting to accumulate greater and greater wealth. as capitalism ceaselessly transforms our living earth into dead capital, staying several steps ahead of its gaping maw is their best option. and still, it’s never enough. under capitalism, they, and we, can all feel it.

Despite every moment of life being indescribably precious and a wondrous mystery, I will spend it caring about dividends and how many rental properties I have.