#fuel poverty awareness day

[murderousink23]

12/01/2023 is World AIDS Day 🌎, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day 💻👓🇺🇲, Day With(out) Art Day, National Eat a Red Apple Day 🍎🇺🇲, Rosa Parks Day 🇺🇲, Faux Fur Friday 🇺🇲, Fuel Poverty Awareness Day 🇬🇧

[djuvlipen]

Once I got into an argument with a white, Spanish leftist, and he told me that Europe was very different from America, that poverty wasn't as racialized in Europe as it is in America, where Black Americans make up the largest portion of the working class.

And what I failed to explain to him and what I wish leftists would understand is that poverty is indeed racialized in Europe. Romani people make up the bulk of Europe's poorest working class.

80% of Romani people live at risk of poverty, compared with an EU average of 17%. (x)

Romani people are one of the demographics the most impacted by human and sex trafficking, and I am saying 'one of the most' because not enough studies have been released on the matter but it's very likely they are the most impacted by trafficking.

The paid work rate for Romani people, aged 20 to 64, is 43 %, much lower than the EU average (70 %) (x), and in Greece, Romani women have been shown to being paid lower wages than non-Romani women. (x) The reason I am only mentioning Greece is because it's the only country where such a study has been carried, but there is no reason to believe Greece is an isolated outlier here.

Romani people's life expectancy is estimated to be 10 years lower than non-Romani people's, in every European country. (x)

Romani people have been enslaved in almost every European countries. (x)

I am white-passing and my family isn't really big on cultural traditionalism: while growing up I never experienced actual racism for my skin colour. The one thing where my being Romani was blatant was in the extremely dire living conditions my family was living in. The white working class can't relate, to be honest I haven't met anyone who can relate to this but other Romani people. Things like this are ever present: your life prospects, and that of your relatives and closed ones, are non existant, and you're being made aware of it; your relatives are all factory workers or unemployed; they have alcohol and drug addiction and deep yet untreated mental illnesses. They die before turning 65. The houses are bad: it's decaying, there are short or long periods of time when you have no electricity nor hot water, it's insalubrious. It's just part of your daily life so you don't really notice it. Administrative papers are never done on time because you don't have that administrative literacy skill and your relatives usually didn't get into higher education if they ever graduated high school at all.

And when I tell this to white working class people they always scold me because while they were poor, they were not that poor. Only other Romani people could relate. The way I relate to my being Romani is through an economic class perspective, because I look white and to me being oppressed for being Romani has always been more about being relegated to the most impoverished social class in Europe, the Romani working class. Once I saw a Romani man saying 'Gypsies live like it's still the 1300s and they act so casual about it', and he was right because sometimes you can't even recognize how fucked up your living conditions are because you're just so used to it.

When I say this, people usually think I'm making stuff up or that I am racist against Romani people but no, but that's just how I grow up. I've talked to many other Romani people before and many of them could relate to what I was saying. I've worked with Romani families and I've witnessed poverty times and times again.

Romani people are Europe's proletarian race and we are the ones being made to work menial jobs, we are the ones being trafficked and exploited like slaves to this day, the women are the ones pimps are using to fuel the European sex trade. And no other demographic can relate to that because none of them are as poor as we are, I learned that from how condescending all the other non-Romani people, no matter their social class or race, were to me when I was talking about that issue.

Some people may think I'm lying and making it all up because it sounds unbelievable, maybe, but I don't care because I know how I grew up and the other Romani people I know could also tell you the same thing I just said and at the end of the day even the white Europeans can't deny that all of us, Romani people, are poor as fuck because they love bringing this up to justify killing us. In my country, "Gypsy" is even used as an adjective to talk about something that's very poor or cheap.

[dearansur]

i don't have a therapist and i'm not gonna get one in the foreseeable future so instead i'll just talk to myself on my blog like a weirdo but anyways, stream of consciousness joyce style ahead

my fear of drawing (like. outright fear that grips me and makes me unable to do anything!) is probably (99% sure) connected with my own self and how close the identity of an 'artist' is tied to my identity as a person. i'm not scared of making Bad art because i'm well aware that i'm mid at best, i don't have much going for me and i'm already grateful for the people who are nice enough to be kind to me about it. but what scares me every time is that i see Nothing. that whatever i make is empty and boring and it says Nothing, and it brings nothing, means nothing. it's the same stale ugly thing that is okay but is never good and will never be good enough for me to be comfortable in my skin and proud of it enough to say 'yeah, i draw'. and with each year passing it becomes even more embarrassing to identify myself with anything artistic because clearly, i'm not. in those 10+ years of drawing i have reached nothing and god i have known people who have started the same time as me or later and who are thriving while i continued to stagnate after reaching my peak back in 2020. that was the last time i made anything that at least felt good.

surprisingly, i even miss the early days when i kept feeling like shit because i was dependent on my friends praising me but still could just make stuff that was fun and cringe back in 2013-2014. i was unhappy a lot of times but at least i let myself fail and be free and just do little stuff without the care in the world.

and then i had to rely on art to survive because i dropped out of university (being suicidal and depression is kinda tough when your family hates your guts for it and doesn't want to accommodate or help). i would later find an irl non-art job that would last me some months and then go back to live on commissions, and that was enough to live just above poverty line but at least i wasn't chained ot an office life or in retail. and now working this Normal Job for 7+ months i resigned from art once again completely, because well! i have no time! i'm not an artist anymore, it's over!

i still don't know how i got work in that project and still feel like they asked me to work with them because i didn't ask much in terms of pay and frankly, i do feel embarrassed of how badly i did that job, even if i tried really hard. but when i look at what i make, i feel like charging any money for it is absolutely obscene and i'm a fraud.

considering it's the only job i have ever done professionally art wise and never worked on any other projects, i'm more than sure that it was a lucky coincidence that shouldn't have happened to me but did nonetheless.

i keep making stupid ugly mistakes that a professional or at least a person with 10+ years of experience shouldn't be making and it infuriates me so much because it only fuels my belief that it's not for me, that i'm forcing it, that i should simply let it go and stop embarrassing myself at my big age by pretending to play an artist online. i have nothing to offer and it's pathetic to watch, especially 'competing' with teens who are simply having fun while i'm tearing my hair over not being good enough and not making anything worthwhile or that i can show to someone without regret or shame

it's simply. so fucking scary to look at what you built of yourself for years and what you relied on to prove that you have a place in this world and that you're not a waste of space who doesn't deserve to live, only to see that you have built absolutely nothing, and all that effort to prove you have worth means nothing too. i can't do anything well, even the things that i do best.

it all circles back to the people who are my complete opposite and who chewed me and spit me out with disgust and who are living their best lives while i'm struggling to not lose my mind, and it only makes me feel like they were in the right and they should have treated me worse and be even meaner and rub their superiority in my face harder so i would never dare to imagine we could be close or that i could be seen as a person to them. truth to be told, i should have just offed myself instead of whining so much but i have known i'm a coward for years so i will just pity myself and wallow in my missed opportunities and my inherent vices.

i used to want to be seen and understood and praised and validated for what i am and how i feel, but in the last years i simply don't care to be seen, i want to be gone and closed off and for no one to touch me or talk to me because i have Nothing to talk about, nothing to share, and i want no one to see or be close to me because it doesn't matter anymore. i don't believe it's possible for me to connect to anyone in a real way and i'm content with superficial surface level contacts with people (until i'm hit with a nasty realization that i'm no one's closest friend and no one considers me their first option and it should be fine because i put zero effort in being anyone's friend and yet it stings).

god i truly lost the thread of what i was rambling about. but what i can clearly see is that i'm losing whatever scraps i called 'self' and that with each passing day i become less a 'person' and more of a ghost i always thought i was and that i can't handle even people i like so i escaped from all online spaces that aren't tumblr (bc i don't talk to anyone here) and telegram (which i use to communicate at work and with my 3 irl friends). i'm ignoring people's messages and feel like shit and all i can say in my defense is that i'm scared and it sounds so stupid and pathetic. i fear getting older and still being nothing and meaning nothing and regretting not offing myself when i was depressed enough because now i have cats i take care of and i can't just leave them. for fuck's sake.

[yvtro]

Sorry, I'm sure it's come up in the past but I don't know if it's specifically tagged: Could you describe what you dislike about Cheer? I have issues with it too but I always see people say it's bad but never get to see why, so I'm curious if it aligns with my own interpretation.

tldr, it's all about classism and how it sticks to retconning jason's robin days to make him an 'angry robin,' a take on his personality that was never true in his original characterisation (i talk about it a bit here). not only that, the story even adds up to the already exisitng paradigm to make it look like jason didn't even care about being robin. no one has ever went that far before.

so let's talk about these flashbacks.

in general, they just widely fuel the narrative that frames jason as a “wild” child from the streets who is drawn to violence. the fact that alfred has to tell him that “he should be training or else bruce will be displeased” is so massively out of character for everyone involved. then we have jay saying ugh robin. so not badass. why can’t I just be batboy– which i will not even comment on. jason’s love for robin and how diligent he was in practice were one of his most important traits in the original run. and here? they make him treat robin like a joke, disregard the legacy, and even make some crude comments about dick too. he doesn't even seem to understand the concept. on top of that, he is also fascinated with guns, which is once again adding up to the whole rhetoric that he was always doomed for life as a criminal. this all happens within like the first half of the first issue.

now, to the current timeline and the whole storyline, which:

1. is once again based on the concept of the war on drugs (please spare me all the “it’s a supervillain, it’s not the same,” because the reader WILL and is supposed to draw references to jay’s family background,) and, among the others

2. has jason arguing that a petty thief deserves death because he will never stop. jason todd, whose first meeting with batman was stealing his tyres, and who had enough of social awareness as a child to know that being labeled as a criminal for trying to survive is not right. who was also sensitive and compassionate enough to never hold a grudge toward his neglectful parents (the 80s iterations of catherine and willis todd were not outright abusive, the fact that they couldn’t take care of jason was in many ways caused by the circumstances). jason todd, who died trying to save a woman who was as morally corrupt as they come. but apparently none of that matters in that continuity.

enter bruce, the 1% bruce wayne, who has to wealthsplain to jason that poor people deserve a chance to be rehabilitated. bruce wayne explaining that to jason todd who was homeless as a child, and about whom bruce said that he needed to take him off the streets so that he won’t become a criminal. bruce, who obviously is not plainly classist, but who also doesn't have even an ounce of experience with poverty that jason has. okay.

and see, the thing is, i am willing to compromise with the modern take on jason and agree that it would be interesting for him to come close to what he sought out to destroy. it's not the most novel, but i could see jay who detaches himself from his kindness for the sake of survival. this version of events is ugly, it’s sad, it’s a bit questionable, but dramatic irony makes it appealing enough. (and there's still space for character development there, for jason to realise it) but this is not what zdarsky is doing in 'cheer', since jay's robin days are even more bastardised than they have ever been before. he is shown as some hopeless cynical beast of a child rather than an idealist, a tender-hearted kid that he was.

and then there are also the 'death in the family' flashbacks, which perpetuate the concept that jason got killed because he "did not listen." the flashbacks in which jason solemnly informs the reader that he never trusted bruce nor did bruce trust him, and that "neither of them lived up to the idea of the dynamic duo." and that makes me wonder– if jason never trusted bruce, why would he be so shaken by the fact that bruce did not avenge him? in fact, why would he care about batman post resurrection at all, if his life as robin was so awful?

it’s all such an unnatural characterisation of not only him, but also how people who come from such communities are in general. coincidentally I just reblogged this post by @martyrtodd that I think explains it quite well. people from the lower-economic class tend to focus on giving back and form really close ties with each other. for jason to be so dispassionate about it and focus so much on violence even before his death is an obtuse concept.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 10.17

Holidays

Big Yellow Hat Day

Black Poetry Day

Coast Guard Day (Philippines)

Day of Dignity (Bolivia)

Dessalines Day (Haiti) [also 9.20]

Digital Society Day (India)

Edge Day (Straight Edge movement)

Eggplant Day (French Republic)

Feminists Day

Festival of Hengest (Asatru)

Forgive an Ex Day

Gaudy Day (a.k.a. Wear Something Gaudy Day)

Geoffrey Day (Toys R Us)

Geoscience for Everyone Day

Global Day Against Pain

Global Maker Day

The Great Shake Out Earthquake Preparedness Day (at 10:17 a.m.)

International Day For the Eradication of Poverty (UN)

International Donnie Day

International Roller Skating Day

International Sawfish Day

Kanname-Sai Harvest Festival (Japan)

Legalization Day (Canada)

Loyalty Day (Argentina)

Megan Meier Day

Mulligan Day

National Ass Day

National Body Confidence Day

National Catholic Men’s Conference Day

National Edge Day (UK)

National Geographic Day

National Hicatee Day (Belize)

National Light Day

National Lighting Day

National Nursery Practitioner Day (UK)

National Opossum Day

National Playing Card Collection Day

National Police Day (a.k.a. Wan Tamruat; Thailand)

National Sweetest Day

National Teen Arrive Alice Day

National Transfer Student Day

National Vehophobia Awareness Day

Paint A Mural On A Sidewalk Day

Pay Back a Friend Day

Primary Care Physician Day (Russia)

Shatta Wale Appreciation Day (Ghana)

Spreadsheet Day

Women in Military Service for American Memorial Day

Work On Your Charisma Day

World Geothermal Energy Day

World Poverty Day

World Trauma Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cake Decorating Day

Chivita World Juice Day (Nigeria)

Four Prunes Day

International Real Vanilla Day

National Pasta Day

Independence & Related Days

Empire of the United States of America (Declared by Emperor Norton; 1859) [unrecognized]

Onopolissia (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Stigistan (Declared; 2008; since dissolved) [unrecognized]

3rd Thursday in October

Alternative Fuel Day [3rd Thursday]

Conflict Resolution Day [3rd Thursday]

Get Smart About Credit Day [3rd Thursday]

Get To Know Your Customers Day [3rd Thursday of each Quarter]

Global Peer Support Celebration Day [3rd Thursday]

International Credit Union Day [3rd Thursday]

International ShakeOut Day [3rd Thursday]

National Do Not Disturb While Driving [3rd Thursday]

National NJCAA Day [3rd Thursday]

Plastics Thursday (Canada) [3rd Thursday]

Purple Thursday (a.k.a. Wear Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Day) [Thursday of 3rd Full Week]

Spirit Day [3rd Thursday]

Theater Thursday [3rd Thursday of Each Month]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Turkey Thursday [3rd Thursday of Each Month]

Wear Purple to Stop Bullying Day [Thursday of 3rd Full Week]

World Values Day [3rd Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 17 (2nd Full Week of October)

Food & Drug Interactions and Awareness Week (thru 10.24)

Festivals Beginning October 17, 2024

Baku International Jazz Festival (Baku, Azerbaijan) [thru 10.27]

British Urban Film Festival (London, United Kingdom.) [thru 10.25]

Global Produce & Floral Show (Atlanta, Georgia) [thru 10.19]

Grand Tasting in Midtown (Atlanta, Georgia)

International Rice Festival (Crowley, Louisiana) [thru 10.20]

Kohler Food & Wine (Kohler, Wisconsin) [thru 10.20]

La Fête du Champagne (New York, New York) [& 10.22-26]

LUSCA Caribbean International Fantastic Film Fest (Mayagüez, Puerto Rico) [thru 10.23]

Michigan Apple Crunch (East Lansing, Michigan)

Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (Martinsburg, West Virginia) [thru 10.20]

New York City Wine & Food Festival (New York, New York) [thru 10.20]

New York Comic Con (New York, New York) [thru 10.20]

New York Wine Experience (New York, New York) [thru 10.19]

North Carolina State Fair (Raleigh, North Carolina) [thru 10.27]

São Paulo International Film Festival (São Paulo, Brazil) [thru 10.30]

Texas Rose Festival (Tyler, Texas) [thru 10.20]

Vienna International Film Festival [Viennale] (Vienna, Austria) [thru 10.29]

Warsaw Beer Festival (Warsaw, Poland) [thru 10.19]

Feast Days

Adele Stimmel Chase (Artology)

Adolphe-Félix Cals (Artology)

Aequinoctium Autumnale VII (Pagan)

Andrew of Crete (Christian; Saint)

Anstrudis (Christian; Saint)

Arthur Miller (Writerism)

Audry (a.k.a. Etheldreda), Abbess of Ely (Christian; Saint)

Bartolommeo Bandinelli (Artology)

Bum Biting Day (Pastafarian)

Canaletto (Artology)

Catervus (Christian; Saint)

C. C. van Asch van Wijck (Artology)

Childe Hassam (Artology)

Cristofano Allori (Artology)

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Doburoku Matsuri (Sake Festival; Shirahigetawara Shrine, Japan) [Day 1]

Ethelred and Ethelberht (Christian; Saints)

Florentius of Orange (Christian; Saint)

François-Isidore Gagelin (Christian; One of the Vietnamese Martyrs)

Franz Xaver Feuchtmayer the Younger (Artology)

Full Moon [10th of the Year] (a.k.a. ... 

Blackberry Moon (Choctaw)

Blood Moon (England, Neo-Pagan, Wicca)

Boun Ok Phansa (Laos; end of Buddhist Lent)

Dying Moon (Alternate)

Freezing Moon (Traditional)

Harvest Moon (Amer. Indian, Celtic, Cherokee, North America)

Hunter’s Moon (Amer. Indian, Colonial , Traditional)

Ice Moon (Traditional)

Kindly Moon (China)

Kojagrat Purnima (Nepal)

Migrating Moon (Traditional)

Seed Moon (South Africa)

Southern Hemisphere: Egg, Fish, Pink, Seed, Waking

Thadingyut Full Moon (Myanmar)

Travel Moon (Alternate)

Vap Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)

Hedwiges (a.k.a. Avoice), Duchess of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Hosea (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Irene di Spilimbergo (Artology)

Jerry Siegel (Artology)

Jesús Reyes Ferreira (Artology)

John the Short (a.k.a. John Colobus; Christian; Saint)

Large Faeries Come First Day (Shamanism)

Locke (Positivist; Saint)

Luis Alberto Solari (Artology)

Madeline (Muppetism)

Marguerite Marie Alacoque (Visitadines; Christian; Saint)

Megan Meier Day (Australia)

Nothhelm (Christian; Saint)

Randall Monroe (Humanism)

Regulus (Christian; Saint)

Rule of Andrew (Christian; Saint)

Richard Gwyn (Christian; Saint)

Robert Jordan (Writerism)

St. Audrey’s Day Fair (Original Tawdry Fair; Isle of Ely, UK)

Victor of Capua (Christian; Saint)

World Pasta Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [56 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [49 of 57]

Premieres

Africa Squeaks (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog MGM Cartoon; 1931)

Angels in the Outfield (Film; 1951)

Around the World in 80 Days (Film; 1956)

Batman vs. Two-Face (WB Animated Film; 2017)

Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America, by Lerone Bennett Jr. (History Book; 1964)

Birdman (Film; 2014)

The Black Stallion (Film; 1979)

The Book of Life (Animated Film; 2014)

The Book of Mirdad, by Mikhail Naimy (Spiritual Book; 1948)

Bosko the Doughboy (WB LT Cartoon; 1931)

Buddy the Detective (WB LT Cartoon; 1934)

Bullitt (Film; 1968)

The Colbert Report (TV Series; 2005)

The Color of Money (Film; 1986)

Connections (UK Documentary Series; 1978)

The Crab with the Golden Claws, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1941) [Tintin #9]

The Devil’s Advocate (Film; 1997)

Earl and Water Don’t Mix or Next Time, Take the Drain (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 118; 1961)

Easy Peckin’s (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

A Feast for Crows, by George R.R. Martin (Novel; 2005) [A Song of Fire and Ice #4]

The Frozen North (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Fury (Film; 2014)

Go Snow, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 5 & 6; 1964)

Great Guns (Ub Iwerks Alice & Oswald Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Hair (Musical Play; 1967)

Hollywood Picnic (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (Film; 1997)

I Want to Hold Your Hand, recorded by The Beatles (Song; 1963)

Jailhouse Rock (Film; 1957)

Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day (Music Documentary Film; 2012)

Loudermilk (TV Series; 2017)

The Magic Fish (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, by Georges Simenon (Novel; 1938)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Film; 1939)

The Naked Ape, by Desmond Morris (Anthropology Book; 1967)

RCA (Electronics and Communications Company; 1919)

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William L. Shirer (History Book; 1960)

The River, by Bruce Springsteen (Album; 1980)

Rue Britannia, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 117; 1961)

’Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King (Novel; 1975)

The Seagull, by Anton Chekov (Play; 1896)

Selena, by Selena (Album; 1989)

The Sensual World, by Kate Bush (Album; 1989)

Shake Your Powder Puff (WB MM Cartoon; 1934)

Spinout (Film; 1966)

Storm Front, by Billy Joel (Album; 1989)

Street Survivors, by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Album; 1977)

Stuart Little, by E.B. White (Children’s Book; 1945)

Tarzan (Animated Film; 2013)

Through the Looking Glass (Adult Film; 1977)

Travelers (TV Series; 2016)

12x5, by The Rolling Stones (Album; 1964)

Two Little Indians (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1953)

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner (Novel; 1960)

Today’s Name Days

Anselm, Ignatius, Rudolf (Austria)

Ignacije, Vatroslav (Croatia)

Hedvika (Czech Republic)

Floretinus (Denmark)

Vesta, Veste (Estonia)

Saaga, Saana, Saini (Finland)

Baudouin, Solène (France)

Adelheid, Marie-Louise, Rudolf (Germany)

Hedvig (Hungary)

Ignazio (Italy)

Gaitis, Gaits, Karīna, Karola, Vita (Latvia)

Gytė, Kintautas, Marijonas (Lithuania)

Marta, Marte (Norway)

Lucyna, Małgorzata, Marian, Sulisława, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Osea (Romania)

Veronica (Russia)

Hedviga (Slovakia)

Ignacio (Spain)

Antonia, Toini (Sweden)

Brad, Braden, Bradford, Bradley, Brady, Braeden, Brayden, Braydon, Rodolfo, Rudi, Rudolf, Rudolph, Rudolphine, Rudy (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 291 of 2024; 75 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 42 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 15 (Jia-Yin)

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

Hebrew: 15 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 13 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 21 Orange; Seventhday [21 of 30]

Julian: 4 October 2024

Moon: 100%: Full Moon

Positivist: 11 Descartes (11th Month) [Mme. De Lambert / Vauvenargues]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 26 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 25 of 30)

[thecpdiary]

Global Climate Change: The Urgent Crisis We Can't Ignore

Climate change, poverty, veganism, environmental sustainability, and our mental health are inter-linked issues that affect us all and if not addressed, will impact future generations. While these issues are fundamental, they often take a backseat to profits and fleeting trends. It’s important to create a society that values both our planet and mental wellbeing, and here’s why and how these areas are interconnected.

Veganism: A Path to Sustainability

Veganism is more than just a diet; it’s a significant way to reduce our environmental footprint. Industrial animal farming leads to deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. For example, the Amazon rainforest is being destroyed to make way for cattle farming and soy production for livestock, leading to significant loss of biodiversity, the release of vast amounts of stored carbon, and disruption of indigenous communities who rely on the forest for their livelihoods.

By choosing plant-based foods, we can lower the demand for resource-intensive animal agriculture. A shift towards plant-based diets can lead to reduced emissions and protected ecosystems, contributing to a healthier planet.

Global Poverty

Global poverty is on of the worlds most pressing problems we face today. The poorest in the world are often under-nourished with little or no access to healthcare, electricity, clean water and basic shelter. Unbelievably some 25% of the worlds population live on less than $3.65/day. Climate change and poverty are inextricably intertwined because climate change disproportionally affects poor people in low-income communities and developing countries around the world who are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.

Climate Change: An Immediate Threat

But climate change isn't a future problem; it’s already impacting the world through extreme weather, rising sea levels, and damaged ecosystems. Unfortunately, climate action is often hindered by the fossil fuel industry’s influence and a focus on short-term economic gains. This is even more uncertain given president elect Trump's attitude to climate change and the USA oil industry.

The fossil fuel industry spends vast sums on lobbying to downplay its role in climate issues. Media coverage highlights disasters which we know about but we're not changing anything. Scientists and naturalists are now making the public aware of the human and environmental costs. Where news stories focus on how to combat climate change, it needs to inspire individuals to advocate for meaningful change.

Caring for the Environment: Recognising our Connection

Environmental issues go beyond climate change. We are already facing biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource depletion. Our consumer culture also promotes constant production and waste, leading to plastic-filled oceans and polluted air.

Many of us live far from nature, making it easy to forget that we rely on healthy ecosystems for clean air, water, and food. Imagine if every product came with a reminder of its environmental impact—this could encourage us to make more sustainable choices, but we should be encouraged anyway.

Mental Health: Affects of Environmental Crisis

Mental health which is already often neglected, is also significantly impacted by environmental challenges. Watching climate change and destruction can lead to eco-anxiety, a feeling of fear about the planet’s future. Economic pressures and social injustices further complicate and contribute to mental health struggles.

Mental health care is still underfunded and stigmatised. Just as we need to protect our environment, we also need to support mental health, especially for younger generations who will face the consequences of today’s inactions. Understanding mental health as part of our environmental responsibility can help us become stronger – which in turn can help us build a stronger and more resilient society.

Moving Forward

Moving forward – addressing climate change, promoting veganism, fostering environmental awareness and supporting mental health are all crucial steps toward a healthier future. However, achieving this vision requires systemic change, beginning with media that needs to empower the public to help effect change.

When we openly discuss these issues and hold institutions accountable, we can shift our focus from immediate profits to long-term wellbeing and change. Real change means integrating these discussions into our everyday and choosing to take action. The world's future depends on it.

By recognising the interconnectedness of these issues, we can collectively foster a world that prioritise ecological health and mental wellbeing, both for ourselves and future generations. Climate change is a challenge we can't afford to overlook. (Source: newsunorg)

For more relatable, inspirational and lifestyle blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[brookston]

Holidays 10.17

Holidays

Big Yellow Hat Day

Black Poetry Day

Coast Guard Day (Philippines)

Day of Dignity (Bolivia)

Dessalines Day (Haiti) [also 9.20]

Digital Society Day (India)

Edge Day (Straight Edge movement)

Eggplant Day (French Republic)

Feminists Day

Festival of Hengest (Asatru)

Forgive an Ex Day

Gaudy Day (a.k.a. Wear Something Gaudy Day)

Geoffrey Day (Toys R Us)

Geoscience for Everyone Day

Global Day Against Pain

Global Maker Day

The Great Shake Out Earthquake Preparedness Day (at 10:17 a.m.)

International Day For the Eradication of Poverty (UN)

International Donnie Day

International Roller Skating Day

International Sawfish Day

Kanname-Sai Harvest Festival (Japan)

Legalization Day (Canada)

Loyalty Day (Argentina)

Megan Meier Day

Mulligan Day

National Ass Day

National Body Confidence Day

National Catholic Men’s Conference Day

National Edge Day (UK)

National Geographic Day

National Hicatee Day (Belize)

National Light Day

National Lighting Day

National Nursery Practitioner Day (UK)

National Opossum Day

National Playing Card Collection Day

National Police Day (a.k.a. Wan Tamruat; Thailand)

National Sweetest Day

National Teen Arrive Alice Day

National Transfer Student Day

National Vehophobia Awareness Day

Paint A Mural On A Sidewalk Day

Pay Back a Friend Day

Primary Care Physician Day (Russia)

Shatta Wale Appreciation Day (Ghana)

Spreadsheet Day

Women in Military Service for American Memorial Day

Work On Your Charisma Day

World Geothermal Energy Day

World Poverty Day

World Trauma Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cake Decorating Day

Chivita World Juice Day (Nigeria)

Four Prunes Day

International Real Vanilla Day

National Pasta Day

Independence & Related Days

Empire of the United States of America (Declared by Emperor Norton; 1859) [unrecognized]

Onopolissia (Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

Stigistan (Declared; 2008; since dissolved) [unrecognized]

3rd Thursday in October

Alternative Fuel Day [3rd Thursday]

Conflict Resolution Day [3rd Thursday]

Get Smart About Credit Day [3rd Thursday]

Get To Know Your Customers Day [3rd Thursday of each Quarter]

Global Peer Support Celebration Day [3rd Thursday]

International Credit Union Day [3rd Thursday]

International ShakeOut Day [3rd Thursday]

National Do Not Disturb While Driving [3rd Thursday]

National NJCAA Day [3rd Thursday]

Plastics Thursday (Canada) [3rd Thursday]

Purple Thursday (a.k.a. Wear Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Day) [Thursday of 3rd Full Week]

Spirit Day [3rd Thursday]

Theater Thursday [3rd Thursday of Each Month]

Thirsty Thursday [Every Thursday]

Three for Thursday [Every Thursday]

Thrift Store Thursday [Every Thursday]

Throwback Thursday [Every Thursday]

Turkey Thursday [3rd Thursday of Each Month]

Wear Purple to Stop Bullying Day [Thursday of 3rd Full Week]

World Values Day [3rd Thursday]

Weekly Holidays beginning October 17 (2nd Full Week of October)

Food & Drug Interactions and Awareness Week (thru 10.24)

Festivals Beginning October 17, 2024

Baku International Jazz Festival (Baku, Azerbaijan) [thru 10.27]

British Urban Film Festival (London, United Kingdom.) [thru 10.25]

Global Produce & Floral Show (Atlanta, Georgia) [thru 10.19]

Grand Tasting in Midtown (Atlanta, Georgia)

International Rice Festival (Crowley, Louisiana) [thru 10.20]

Kohler Food & Wine (Kohler, Wisconsin) [thru 10.20]

La Fête du Champagne (New York, New York) [& 10.22-26]

LUSCA Caribbean International Fantastic Film Fest (Mayagüez, Puerto Rico) [thru 10.23]

Michigan Apple Crunch (East Lansing, Michigan)

Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival (Martinsburg, West Virginia) [thru 10.20]

New York City Wine & Food Festival (New York, New York) [thru 10.20]

New York Comic Con (New York, New York) [thru 10.20]

New York Wine Experience (New York, New York) [thru 10.19]

North Carolina State Fair (Raleigh, North Carolina) [thru 10.27]

São Paulo International Film Festival (São Paulo, Brazil) [thru 10.30]

Texas Rose Festival (Tyler, Texas) [thru 10.20]

Vienna International Film Festival [Viennale] (Vienna, Austria) [thru 10.29]

Warsaw Beer Festival (Warsaw, Poland) [thru 10.19]

Feast Days

Adele Stimmel Chase (Artology)

Adolphe-Félix Cals (Artology)

Aequinoctium Autumnale VII (Pagan)

Andrew of Crete (Christian; Saint)

Anstrudis (Christian; Saint)

Arthur Miller (Writerism)

Audry (a.k.a. Etheldreda), Abbess of Ely (Christian; Saint)

Bartolommeo Bandinelli (Artology)

Bum Biting Day (Pastafarian)

Canaletto (Artology)

Catervus (Christian; Saint)

C. C. van Asch van Wijck (Artology)

Childe Hassam (Artology)

Cristofano Allori (Artology)

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Doburoku Matsuri (Sake Festival; Shirahigetawara Shrine, Japan) [Day 1]

Ethelred and Ethelberht (Christian; Saints)

Florentius of Orange (Christian; Saint)

François-Isidore Gagelin (Christian; One of the Vietnamese Martyrs)

Franz Xaver Feuchtmayer the Younger (Artology)

Full Moon [10th of the Year] (a.k.a. ... 

Blackberry Moon (Choctaw)

Blood Moon (England, Neo-Pagan, Wicca)

Boun Ok Phansa (Laos; end of Buddhist Lent)

Dying Moon (Alternate)

Freezing Moon (Traditional)

Harvest Moon (Amer. Indian, Celtic, Cherokee, North America)

Hunter’s Moon (Amer. Indian, Colonial , Traditional)

Ice Moon (Traditional)

Kindly Moon (China)

Kojagrat Purnima (Nepal)

Migrating Moon (Traditional)

Seed Moon (South Africa)

Southern Hemisphere: Egg, Fish, Pink, Seed, Waking

Thadingyut Full Moon (Myanmar)

Travel Moon (Alternate)

Vap Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)

Hedwiges (a.k.a. Avoice), Duchess of Poland (Christian; Saint)

Hosea (Christian; Saint)

Ignatius of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Irene di Spilimbergo (Artology)

Jerry Siegel (Artology)

Jesús Reyes Ferreira (Artology)

John the Short (a.k.a. John Colobus; Christian; Saint)

Large Faeries Come First Day (Shamanism)

Locke (Positivist; Saint)

Luis Alberto Solari (Artology)

Madeline (Muppetism)

Marguerite Marie Alacoque (Visitadines; Christian; Saint)

Megan Meier Day (Australia)

Nothhelm (Christian; Saint)

Randall Monroe (Humanism)

Regulus (Christian; Saint)

Rule of Andrew (Christian; Saint)

Richard Gwyn (Christian; Saint)

Robert Jordan (Writerism)

St. Audrey’s Day Fair (Original Tawdry Fair; Isle of Ely, UK)

Victor of Capua (Christian; Saint)

World Pasta Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [56 of 71]

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [49 of 57]

Premieres

Africa Squeaks (Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog MGM Cartoon; 1931)

Angels in the Outfield (Film; 1951)

Around the World in 80 Days (Film; 1956)

Batman vs. Two-Face (WB Animated Film; 2017)

Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America, by Lerone Bennett Jr. (History Book; 1964)

Birdman (Film; 2014)

The Black Stallion (Film; 1979)

The Book of Life (Animated Film; 2014)

The Book of Mirdad, by Mikhail Naimy (Spiritual Book; 1948)

Bosko the Doughboy (WB LT Cartoon; 1931)

Buddy the Detective (WB LT Cartoon; 1934)

Bullitt (Film; 1968)

The Colbert Report (TV Series; 2005)

The Color of Money (Film; 1986)

Connections (UK Documentary Series; 1978)

The Crab with the Golden Claws, by Hergé (Graphic Novel; 1941) [Tintin #9]

The Devil’s Advocate (Film; 1997)

Earl and Water Don’t Mix or Next Time, Take the Drain (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 118; 1961)

Easy Peckin’s (WB LT Cartoon; 1953)

A Feast for Crows, by George R.R. Martin (Novel; 2005) [A Song of Fire and Ice #4]

The Frozen North (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1941)

Fury (Film; 2014)

Go Snow, Parts 1 & 2 (Underdog Cartoon, S1, Eps. 5 & 6; 1964)

Great Guns (Ub Iwerks Alice & Oswald Disney Cartoon; 1927)

Hair (Musical Play; 1967)

Hollywood Picnic (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (Film; 1997)

I Want to Hold Your Hand, recorded by The Beatles (Song; 1963)

Jailhouse Rock (Film; 1957)

Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day (Music Documentary Film; 2012)

Loudermilk (TV Series; 2017)

The Magic Fish (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1934)

The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, by Georges Simenon (Novel; 1938)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Film; 1939)

The Naked Ape, by Desmond Morris (Anthropology Book; 1967)

RCA (Electronics and Communications Company; 1919)

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William L. Shirer (History Book; 1960)

The River, by Bruce Springsteen (Album; 1980)

Rue Britannia, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S3, Ep. 117; 1961)

’Salem’s Lot, by Stephen King (Novel; 1975)

The Seagull, by Anton Chekov (Play; 1896)

Selena, by Selena (Album; 1989)

The Sensual World, by Kate Bush (Album; 1989)

Shake Your Powder Puff (WB MM Cartoon; 1934)

Spinout (Film; 1966)

Storm Front, by Billy Joel (Album; 1989)

Street Survivors, by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Album; 1977)

Stuart Little, by E.B. White (Children’s Book; 1945)

Tarzan (Animated Film; 2013)

Through the Looking Glass (Adult Film; 1977)

Travelers (TV Series; 2016)

12x5, by The Rolling Stones (Album; 1964)

Two Little Indians (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1953)

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, by Alan Garner (Novel; 1960)

Today’s Name Days

Anselm, Ignatius, Rudolf (Austria)

Ignacije, Vatroslav (Croatia)

Hedvika (Czech Republic)

Floretinus (Denmark)

Vesta, Veste (Estonia)

Saaga, Saana, Saini (Finland)

Baudouin, Solène (France)

Adelheid, Marie-Louise, Rudolf (Germany)

Hedvig (Hungary)

Ignazio (Italy)

Gaitis, Gaits, Karīna, Karola, Vita (Latvia)

Gytė, Kintautas, Marijonas (Lithuania)

Marta, Marte (Norway)

Lucyna, Małgorzata, Marian, Sulisława, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Osea (Romania)

Veronica (Russia)

Hedviga (Slovakia)

Ignacio (Spain)

Antonia, Toini (Sweden)

Brad, Braden, Bradford, Bradley, Brady, Braeden, Brayden, Braydon, Rodolfo, Rudi, Rudolf, Rudolph, Rudolphine, Rudy (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 291 of 2024; 75 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of Week 42 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 19 of 28]

Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 15 (Jia-Yin)

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

Hebrew: 15 Tishri 5785

Islamic: 13 Rabi II 1446

J Cal: 21 Orange; Seventhday [21 of 30]

Julian: 4 October 2024

Moon: 100%: Full Moon

Positivist: 11 Descartes (11th Month) [Mme. De Lambert / Vauvenargues]

Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 11 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 26 of 90)

Week: 2nd Full Week of October

Zodiac: Libra (Day 25 of 30)

[beardedmrbean]

Nigerians took to the streets on Tuesday to protest widespread economic hardship, coinciding with the West African country's 64th independence anniversary.

It was the second protest of its kind in two months, spurred on by high inflation and economic reforms pushed through by President Bola Tinubu's new government as it seeks to save money and bring back foreign investment.

However, Tuesday's turnout was lower than the previous protest in August — in which at least 20 people were killed by security forces. Those who did show up in the capital Abuja were met with with tear gas.

Why are people protesting in Nigeria?

Tuesday's protests were dubbed the "National Day of Survival" with protesters calling for an "end to hunger and misery."

They also demanded a reduction in the cost of fuel, electricity and food, as well as the release of protesters arrested in August.

Small groups of gathered holding up placards and waving the national flag, but many were dispersed with tear gas.

At the same time, government and military officials attended an independence day parade elsewhere in the capital, with heavy security being reported in other parts of the country.

President Tinubu calls for patience

Despite being a major oil exporter, Nigeria maintains high levels of poverty and hunger. President Tinubu has argued his reforms will improve the situation, but the short-term impacts have seen inflation reach a three-decade high after he ended a fuel subsidy and floated the naira currency.

"I am deeply aware of the struggles many of you face in these challenging times," Tinubu said at an anniversary event on Tuesday.

"Once again, I plead for your patience as the reforms we are implementing show positive signs, and we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel."

Nigeria remains "an unfortunate case of running very hard and staying in the same place," Cheta Nwanze, managing partner at Lagos-based SBM Intelligence research firm, told the Associated Press.

"If your population is not healthy ... or not educated, you can't possibly make progress," Nwanze said.

[terencelewisinstitute]

Hip Hop in India: From Bhangra Beats to Bolly-Grooves

India, the land of ancient rhythms and swirling dervishes, has embraced a new beat – the pulsating energy of hip-hop. No longer confined to American streets, hip-hop has found fertile ground in the desi landscape, evolving into a vibrant fusion that's as unique as a chai-spiked latte. So, step onto this concrete jungle and get ready to break down the misconceptions about hip-hop in India.

Gone are the days of baggy pants and boom boxes. Indian hip-hop has shed its stereotypical skin, morphing into a kaleidoscope of styles. Bhangra beats infuse head-banging headspins, Bollywood melodies underpin popping and locking, and traditional folk movements find new life in intricate footwork. This cross-pollination of cultures creates a genre that's both familiar and fresh, resonating with the Indian experience while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

Breaking Barriers, Building Communities:

Hip-hop in India is more than just dance moves; it's a cultural rebellion. In a land steeped in tradition, it offers a platform for self-expression, a voice for the underrepresented. Aspiring artists from slums and small towns find their stories echoing in the rhythmic beats, their frustrations channeled into powerful choreography. Hip-hop crews become more than just dance teams; they become families, and communities bound by shared passion and struggle. This sense of belonging empowers young dancers, giving them the confidence to break free from societal norms and embrace their individuality.

Beyond self taught youngsters, The dance is now being taught at a professional level in hip hop dance academy in Mumbai. And indeed, they are a roaring success.

The Rhythm of Hustle:

The Indian hip-hop scene is not just about freestyle battles and underground jams. It's a thriving ecosystem fueled by ambition and talent. Choreographers like Bosco-Caesar and Remo D'Souza have carved their names in Bollywood, crafting electrifying dance sequences that showcase the versatility of the genre. Dancers like Prabhu Deva and Dhanush have become household names, inspiring a generation to chase their dreams on the silver screen. And let's not forget the YouTube sensations – crews like Kings United and Desi Hoppers are taking the global stage by storm, proving that Indian hip-hop is a force to be reckoned with.

Now any passionate individual can start their hip-hop journey by attending best hip-hop dance classes in Mumbai like the Terrence Lewis Training Professional Institute.

Brands Find Their Groove:

The infectious energy of hip-hop hasn't escaped the notice of brands and corporations. From energetic product launches to employee engagement initiatives, companies are tapping into the power of this dynamic genre. Flash mobs at conferences, hip-hop-themed workshops, and even branded music videos – the possibilities are endless. Partnering with hip-hop artists and crews not only adds a contemporary edge to brand campaigns but also connects with a young, vibrant audience.

A Stage for Social Change:

Hip-hop in India isn't just about shaking a leg; it's about using movement to create change. Crews are using their platform to address social issues like poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Through powerful choreography and thought-provoking lyrics, they're raising awareness and challenging societal stereotypes. This socially conscious approach is transforming hip-hop into a tool for empowerment, giving voice to the voiceless and inspiring positive change.

The Future Beckons:

The future of Indian hip-hop is as bright as a Diwali firework. With its infectious energy, boundless creativity, and unwavering spirit, this genre is poised to conquer the world stage. As technology advances, expect to see augmented reality and virtual reality applications revolutionize dance training and performances. Collaborations with international artists and exchanges with global crews will continue to shape the sound and style of Indian hip-hop, pushing the boundaries of the genre even further.

So, whether you're a seasoned dancer, a curious observer, or simply someone who loves a good beat, open your ears to the rhythm of Indian hip-hop. It's a pulsating tapestry of tradition and trend, of struggle and ambition, of stories told through sweat and swagger. It's the sound of a generation finding its voice, one body pop at a time. So, embrace the beat, clap your hands, and learn the rhythm of India's hip-hop style by joining hip-hop classes in Mumbai.

For more information, visit our website: https://www.terencelewis.com/dance-courses.php 

[denimbex1986]

'****

As producer and lead actor, Cillian Murphy has brought to the screen a piercingly painful and sad story with a very literary intensity, juxtaposing the detail of the present with flashback memories of the past. It is about Ireland’s notorious Magdalene Laundries: the church’s homes for unwed mothers who were made to work in an atmosphere of wretchedness and shame and had their babies taken away and sold to foster parents. Enda Walsh has adapted the much admired novel by Claire Keegan and the director is Tim Mielants.

This subdued but absorbing and eventful film is rather different from Peter Mullan’s extravagant The Magdalene Sisters – which also featured Eileen Walsh in its cast – and different also from Stephen Frears’ bittersweet dramedy Philomena. Murphy shows us once again his sightless stare of fear and pain, as the witness to something terrible not just in the real world but within himself. He plays Bill, a coalman in County Wexford in the early 80s; a soft-spoken, thoughtful man who has built up a good business through years of hard work, though money worries are never far way. He is married to Eileen (Walsh), and they have many daughters whose education comes courtesy of the church and whose future weddings will doubtless cause more worry and expense.

One Christmas, good-hearted Bill appears to be on the verge of a midlife breakdown. Long submerged memories are rising to the surface, and he is in the habit of getting up in the middle of the night to make tea and gaze out of the window. He stops his van one day to talk to a poor boy who is pitiably collecting sticks, claiming only to want them for his dog but obviously, in the most un-Christmassy way, gathering winter fuel. Bill is assailed by his own memories of Christmas poverty: getting a hot water bottle for a present instead of the longed-for jigsaw puzzle.

And then the film shows something breaking his gloomy pain into the open, a terrible revelation that he has somehow been expecting. Delivering coal to the church laundry – a place from which locals avert their eyes, as if from Dracula’s castle – he walks straight in and sees the terrified girls for himself, like abused serfs. Each of them, he realises, resembles his own poor unmarried mother, who would assuredly have ended up in a place like this had she not been taken in by a wealthy local woman. The church sister – a dead-eyed performance of cool bureaucratic tyranny from Emily Watson – is icily aware that Bill is now in possession of a secret that could damage her and that, as a man, his (possible) objection would carry far more weight than one from the town’s women. But she has his daughters’ educational future in her hands.

There is something very Dickensian in this story, signalled by Bill’s boyhood ownership of David Copperfield, though with a fierce pessimism and anger that Dickens might not have favoured. And the ending is deeply strange; is it actually happening or not? I was so rapt, so caught up in this film, that I wasn’t aware that it was going to be the ending until the screen faded to black. It is an absorbing, committed drama.'

[crazyfilterlady2024]

"Locked Up, Fed Up: The Explosive Truth Behind America's Food Chain"

"From Plantation to Plate: Unveiling America's Prison Labor Supply Chain"

Description: Dive into the hidden world of America's food supply chain, where the journey from plantation to plate takes a surprising turn through the country's largest maximum-security prison. Follow the unmarked trucks packed with prison-raised cattle as they roll out of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, linking some of the world's largest food companies to a labor force of incarcerated individuals. Explore the intricate web connecting popular brands like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Cargill to jobs performed by prisoners, shedding light on a system rife with exploitation and ethical questions. Join us as we uncover the dark reality behind the food on America's dinner tables and challenge the notion of justice in the nation's prisons.

"Unravel the Hidden Threads: Explore the Intricate Web of America's Prison Labor Supply Chain, From Plantation to Plate!"

In the shadows of America's bustling food industry lies a complex and often overlooked supply chain fueled by the labor of incarcerated individuals. This web of prison labor, stretching from plantation fields to dinner plates, serves as the backbone of many household brands, yet its intricacies remain hidden from the public eye. As we peel back the layers of this system, we uncover a story of exploitation, resilience, and the stark realities of modern-day incarceration.

At the heart of this supply chain are the former Southern slave plantations, reincarnated as maximum-security prisons, where men are sentenced to hard labor for meager wages or sometimes no compensation at all. Unmarked trucks packed with cattle raised within the confines of these prisons roll out, their destination a Texas slaughterhouse feeding into the supply chains of corporate giants like McDonald's, Walmart, and Cargill. The journey from prison to plate is a covert operation, shrouded in secrecy yet integral to the profitability of these multibillion-dollar corporations.

The intricate web of prison labor extends far beyond the agricultural sector, infiltrating every aspect of the food industry. From processing plants to fast-food chains, incarcerated individuals toil away, their labor essential to meeting production quotas and driving profits. Yet, behind the veneer of economic efficiency lies a system rife with exploitation and abuse. Prisoners who refuse to work risk jeopardizing their chances of parole or facing punishment, while those who do often receive meager wages and lack basic workplace protections.

Despite the constitutional ban on slavery and involuntary servitude, the 13th Amendment's exception clause has provided legal cover for the exploitation of incarcerated labor. This loophole has been exploited by corporations seeking to capitalize on cheap and readily available workforce, reminiscent of the convict-leasing practices of the post-Civil War era. Today, the prison-industrial complex has evolved into a multibillion-dollar empire, perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration disproportionately affecting communities of color.

As consumers, we are complicit in sustaining this system through our purchasing choices, unwittingly supporting brands that rely on prison labor to drive down production costs. The food on our tables, from cereal to chicken nuggets, bears the invisible imprint of incarcerated hands. Yet, awareness is the first step towards accountability, and by unraveling the hidden threads of America's prison labor supply chain, we can demand transparency and ethical sourcing practices from the companies we patronize.

In the fight for justice, incarcerated individuals are often the most vulnerable and voiceless members of society. Denied basic rights and protections, they are forced to work under conditions akin to modern-day slavery, their labor exploited for corporate gain. It is incumbent upon us to shine a light on this hidden injustice, to amplify the voices of those silenced by incarceration, and to advocate for meaningful reform within the criminal justice system.

"Unraveling America's Prison Labor Supply Chain" is not just a call to action; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that behind every product we consume lies a story, and it is up to us to ensure that story is one of dignity, fairness, and respect for all. Join us as we peel back the layers of secrecy and expose the truth behind America's prison labor system, from plantation to plate.

"From Chains to Chainsaws: Delve into the Untold Story of Prison Labor, Where America's Food Supply Meets Unseen Labor Forces."

In the intricate tapestry of America's food supply chain lies a hidden layer of labor, where the hands that toil often remain unseen and unheard. Behind the glossy packaging and supermarket shelves, incarcerated individuals form an essential yet invisible workforce, contributing to every stage of production from farm to table. This untold story of prison labor reveals the stark realities of a system built on exploitation and injustice, where chains of incarceration intersect with the demands of corporate profit.

From the vast expanses of former Southern plantations, now reincarnated as maximum-security prisons, to the bustling processing plants of multinational corporations, the journey of food from field to fork is marked by the labor of the incarcerated. Unmarked trucks transport cattle raised within prison walls to slaughterhouses, where their meat enters the supply chains of household names like McDonald's, Walmart, and Tyson Foods. Meanwhile, within the prison walls, individuals work for meager wages or no compensation at all, their labor fueling the profits of billion-dollar corporations.

The story of prison labor is one of exploitation and coercion, where incarcerated individuals are often compelled to work under threat of punishment or loss of privileges. Denied basic rights and protections, they face hazardous working conditions and lack access to adequate healthcare. Yet, their labor remains vital to the functioning of the food industry, driving down production costs and maximizing corporate profits. In this system, the pursuit of economic efficiency takes precedence over human dignity and well-being.

Despite the constitutional prohibition on slavery and involuntary servitude, the 13th Amendment's exception clause has provided a legal loophole for the exploitation of incarcerated labor. This loophole has been exploited by corporations seeking to capitalize on a captive and cheap workforce, perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration within marginalized communities. The intersection of race, class, and criminal justice further exacerbates these inequalities, disproportionately affecting communities of color.

As consumers, we are complicit in sustaining this system through our purchasing choices, unwittingly supporting brands that rely on prison labor to meet consumer demand. From fresh produce to processed foods, the products that line our supermarket aisles bear the unseen imprint of incarcerated hands. Yet, awareness is the first step towards accountability, and by shining a light on the hidden realities of prison labor, we can demand transparency and ethical sourcing practices from the companies we patronize.

The story of prison labor is not just one of exploitation and injustice; it is also a story of resilience and resistance. Despite facing insurmountable odds, incarcerated individuals continue to assert their humanity and demand recognition of their rights. From organizing strikes to advocating for policy reform, they are fighting for dignity and justice within a system that seeks to dehumanize and exploit them. It is time to listen to their voices, to acknowledge their contributions, and to work towards a more equitable and just society.

"From Chains to Chainsaws: Uncovering the Invisible Hands of America's Food Supply Chain" invites viewers to delve into the untold story of prison labor, where chains of incarceration intersect with the demands of corporate profit. By shedding light on this hidden reality, we can spark meaningful conversations, drive positive change, and ensure that the hands that feed us are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Join us as we uncover the invisible forces shaping America's food system and work towards a more just and equitable future for all.

"Bars to Brands: Inside America's Incarcerated Labor Supply Chain"

In the shadows of America's prison walls lies a hidden world of labor, where the incarcerated toil to feed the insatiable appetites of some of the world's biggest brands. "Bars to Brands: Inside America's Incarcerated Labor Supply Chain" takes viewers on a journey behind the bars and beyond borders to uncover the shocking truth of how prison labor intersects with global commerce.

From the bustling kitchens of fast-food giants to the sprawling fields of industrial agriculture, incarcerated individuals form an essential yet invisible workforce, powering the supply chains of household names like McDonald's, Walmart, and Coca-Cola. Unmarked trucks packed with prison-raised cattle roll out of maximum-security prisons, while rows of crops stretch far into the distance, tended by hands bound by chains of incarceration.

Yet, behind the glossy packaging and familiar logos lies a story of exploitation and injustice. Forced to work for meager wages or no compensation at all, incarcerated individuals face hazardous conditions and lack access to basic protections. Denied the most fundamental rights, they are coerced into labor under the threat of punishment or loss of privileges. Despite the abolition of slavery, the 13th Amendment's exception clause has provided a legal loophole for the exploitation of incarcerated labor, perpetuating cycles of poverty and incarceration within marginalized communities.

"Bars to Brands" exposes the human cost of corporate profit, highlighting the intersecting injustices of race, class, and criminal justice. From the cotton fields of former Southern plantations to the processing plants of multinational corporations, the labor of the incarcerated fuels the engines of capitalism, enriching corporations while perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. As the global demand for cheap labor drives companies to seek ever-che aper production methods, the plight of incarcerated workers remains largely overlooked, hidden behind prison walls and corporate boardrooms.

This investigation sheds light on the intricate web of America's prison labor supply chain, revealing the systemic issues that perpetuate the exploitation of vulnerable populations. While some argue that prison labor provides valuable job training and opportunities for rehabilitation, the reality is far bleaker. Many incarcerated individuals are subjected to grueling work conditions, denied fair compensation, and deprived of the most basic human rights. Their labor is commodified, their dignity stripped away in the pursuit of profit.

"Bars to Brands" challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the products they consume and the systems that produce them. By tracing the journey of goods from behind bars to store shelves, this investigation prompts critical reflection on the ethical implications of our consumer choices. Can we, in good conscience, continue to support industries that rely on the exploitation of incarcerated labor?

Through powerful storytelling and compelling visuals, "Bars to Brands" amplifies the voices of those directly impacted by prison labor practices. From firsthand accounts of incarcerated individuals to expert analysis from advocates and scholars, this investigation offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues at play. By elevating marginalized perspectives and centering the experiences of those most affected, "Bars to Brands" seeks to ignite meaningful conversations and inspire collective action towards a more just and equitable future.

As viewers delve into the untold story of prison labor, they are invited to challenge prevailing narratives and imagine alternative visions of justice. By exposing the hidden threads that connect America's prisons to the global economy, "Bars to Brands" empowers audiences to demand accountability from corporations, policymakers, and society at large. Together, we can unravel the chains of exploitation and build a world where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their incarceration status.

"Plates and Prisoners: Peek Behind the Curtain of America's Food Industry to Uncover the Startling Reality of Prison Labor."

In the bustling aisles of supermarkets and the bustling kitchens of restaurants, Americans interact daily with the products of their food industry, blissfully unaware of the hidden truth behind their meals. "Plates and Prisoners" invites viewers to embark on a journey behind the curtain of America's food supply chain, where the startling reality of prison labor awaits discovery.

As consumers, we often take for granted the convenience and abundance of our food options, failing to recognize the labor that goes into every bite we take. Yet, unbeknownst to many, a significant portion of America's food production relies on the exploitation of incarcerated individuals, who toil away behind bars for meager wages or sometimes for no compensation at all.

This investigation sheds light on the dark underbelly of the food industry, exposing the systemic injustices that perpetuate the cycle of exploitation and oppression. From harvesting crops under the scorching sun to processing meat in hazardous conditions, incarcerated workers are subjected to grueling labor without adequate protection or recourse.

"Plates and Prisoners" challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the origins of their food, urging them to consider the ethical implications of supporting an industry built on the backs of the marginalized. By peeling back, the layers of secrecy surrounding prison labor, this investigation invites reflection on the values we prioritize as a society and the responsibilities we bear as consumers.

Through compelling storytelling and thought-provoking interviews, "Plates and Prisoners" amplifies the voices of those directly impacted by this exploitative system. From the firsthand accounts of incarcerated individuals to the insights of labor rights advocates and industry experts, this documentary paints a comprehensive picture of the human cost behind cheap and convenient food.

As viewers peer behind the curtain of America's food industry, they are confronted with a choice: to turn a blind eye to injustice or to take a stand for fairness and dignity. "Plates and Prisoners" empowers audiences to demand accountability from corporations and policymakers, urging them to prioritize the rights and well-being of all workers, regardless of their incarceration status.

In a world where profit often takes precedence over people, "Plates and Prisoners" serves as a rallying cry for justice and compassion. By raising awareness of the hidden realities of prison labor in the food industry, this documentary sparks conversations, inspires activism, and paves the way for a more equitable future for all.

"From Incarceration to Incorporation: Follow the Journey of America's Prisoners as They Become Unlikely Contributors to Your Dinner Table."

 In the shadows of society's consciousness lies a narrative seldom acknowledged: the journey of America's incarcerated individuals from confinement to contribution in the food industry. "From Incarceration to Incorporation" offers a gripping exploration of this untold story, inviting viewers to witness the transformation of prisoners into integral players in the nation's culinary landscape.

As the documentary unfolds, audiences are introduced to a cast of characters whose lives intersect at the intersection of incarceration and employment. From prison cells to food production facilities, these individuals navigate a complex web of challenges and opportunities, defying stereotypes and reclaiming their agency in the process.

At the heart of "From Incarceration to Incorporation" is the revelation of how incarcerated workers, often marginalized and overlooked, play a pivotal role in sustaining America's appetite. Through hard labor and perseverance, they contribute to every stage of the food supply chain, from planting and harvesting crops to processing and packaging goods destined for consumers' dinner tables.

But beyond the physical labor lies a deeper narrative of redemption and resilience. Viewers witness firsthand the transformative power of work, as prisoners find purpose and dignity in their roles within the food industry. From acquiring new skills to forging meaningful connections, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment that transcends the confines of their incarceration.

As the documentary delves deeper into the complexities of prison labor, it confronts viewers with thought-provoking questions about justice, ethics, and the role of rehabilitation in the criminal justice system. Through intimate interviews and compelling storytelling, "From Incarceration to Incorporation" challenges preconceived notions and sparks conversations about the intersection of punishment and productivity.

Ultimately, "From Incarceration to Incorporation" serves as a call to action for viewers to reexamine their perceptions of incarceration and reintegration. By shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of incarcerated individuals to the food industry, the documentary advocates for greater recognition of their humanity and potential for redemption.

In a world where second chances are often elusive, "From Incarceration to Incorporation" offers a glimpse into a future where individuals are not defined by their past mistakes, but by their capacity for growth and change. Through empathy and understanding, it challenges us to envision a society where everyone has the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.

From prison bars to corporate kitchens, the journey of America's prisoners is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of forgiveness. "From Incarceration to Incorporation" invites viewers to join this journey of hope and redemption, inspiring them to embrace the possibility of a brighter future for all".

(Do you think this is the reason behind all the food recalls)?😖🤢🤮

These are my social sites feel free to add me:

(Facebook)   / boricuapebbles  

(TikTok)   / crazyfilterlady  

(Instagram)   / blacckkdiamonds  

(Blogger) https://crazyfilterlady2023.blogspot.com

<3 Thank you.

_

Love always,

author: Maria DC Santiago

aka Crazy Filter Lady

#ChainsofInjustice

#PlatestoPrisons

#UnveilingExploitation

#FromBarsToBrands

#HiddenHandsExposed

#IncarcerationIncorporated

#ReclaimingDignity

#JusticeOnTheMenu

#UnravelTheSupplyChain

#TransformingLives

#ImprisonedMatesAbuse

[sternsolar]

How Solar Solutions Can Transform Rural Communities

In the heart of rural landscapes, where the beauty of nature meets the simplicity of life, there's an untapped potential waiting to be harnessed. The sun, with its daily dance across the sky, isn't just a source of light and warmth; it's a beacon of hope and progress. As we delve into the transformative power of solar solutions, we unravel a narrative not just about technology, but about human resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of a sustainable future.

The Challenge of Rural Life

Life in rural communities is often pictured as idyllic and peaceful, yet it harbors challenges that are overlooked by urban narratives. One of the most pressing challenges is access to reliable and affordable energy. In many parts of the world, rural areas are still plagued by inconsistent power supplies, leaving residents reliant on costly and environmentally harmful alternatives like diesel generators or kerosene lamps. This energy poverty hampers educational opportunities, healthcare, and economic development, perpetuating a cycle of hardship.

A Ray of Hope: Solar Solutions

Enter solar solutions, a beacon of hope for these communities. Solar technology, at its core, is about harnessing the sun’s energy and converting it into electricity. This simple yet profound concept has the potential to revolutionize rural life. Unlike traditional power grids, solar solutions don't require extensive infrastructure. They can be deployed anywhere the sun shines, making them particularly suitable for remote and underserved areas.

Impact on Daily Life

Imagine a typical day in a rural village transformed by solar power. As the sun rises, solar panels silently begin to harvest energy. This energy powers water pumps for irrigation, aiding local agriculture and ensuring food security. In homes, solar-powered lights replace hazardous kerosene lamps, offering a safer and healthier living environment. Children can study after dusk, adults can engage in evening economic activities, and the overall quality of life improves.

Boosting Healthcare and Education

Healthcare facilities and schools stand to benefit immensely from solar solutions. Reliable power ensures that vaccines are stored at appropriate temperatures and medical equipment operates without interruption. For schools, access to electricity means computer labs and digital learning resources, opening up a world of information and opportunities for rural students.

Economic Empowerment

Solar power is not just about lighting homes; it's about fueling economies. With access to electricity, rural entrepreneurs can power machinery, refrigerate produce, and extend their business hours. Solar solutions also create jobs within the community, from installation and maintenance of solar panels to new ventures that were not feasible before.

Environmental Benefits

The environmental advantages of solar solutions cannot be overstated. By replacing fossil fuels, these communities significantly reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to the global fight against climate change. Moreover, solar power conserves local ecosystems by reducing the need for deforestation, which is often a consequence of gathering firewood for energy.

Social and Cultural Transformation

The impact of solar solutions extends beyond tangible benefits. Electrification brings a sense of progress and hope. It can alter the social fabric of a community, offering new opportunities for women and marginalized groups, and reshaping cultural norms. Women, who often bear the brunt of energy poverty, gain time and resources to pursue education and entrepreneurship.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite the potential, the adoption of solar solutions faces obstacles. Initial costs, lack of awareness, and technical expertise are significant barriers. However, these challenges are being met with innovative financing models, community education programs, and support from governments and NGOs. Collaboration between local communities and external stakeholders is key to creating sustainable and culturally sensitive solar solutions.

Conclusion: A Brighter Tomorrow

As we reflect on the potential of solar solutions in transforming rural communities, it's clear that this is more than just a story about energy. It's about empowerment, resilience, and a collective leap towards a sustainable future. By embracing solar solutions, rural communities are not just catching up with the rest of the world; they are stepping into the forefront of an ecological revolution. In every sunbeam lies a possibility, in every solar panel, a promise of a brighter tomorrow. As we harness the power of the sun, we light up a path not just for rural communities, but for humanity at large. For more information or services, please contact us.

[prabhatjairam]

Can India emerge as a superpower?

As we all know, India is a mixed economy where the public and private sectors coexist to meet the demand and supply of the state. It is a developing country that is constantly working on improving its economy, education system, and infrastructure. Unemployment and illiteracy are the highlighted issues over here, but the country is pushing its heels to overcome these problems. With its endless efforts and struggles, India is working on becoming a global superpower, capable of delivering the leadership qualities that the world often needs.

The country aims at reducing poverty and unemployment levels by providing education, employment, and other facilities. There are numerous government schools and educational institutes that help poor students by providing them with quality education. They provided basic sports facilities and physical education as well. The main motive for establishing public schools in India is to provide education to each child in the country. It is a great opportunity for those families and parents who cannot afford educational expenses and are not financially strong. They can send their children to get a proper education and to be aware of the outside world.

By providing educational facilities to all, India can develop its economy. The more educated the individuals are, the more job opportunities they will have. However, education is not just about learning and writing; in fact, it enhances the skills and talents of people. Skilled and educated candidates drive productivity and encourage innovation to boost economic growth around the globe. They contribute to structural transformation by enhancing employability and labor participation.

To get a daily booster, please visit Daily Booster Article| study24hr.com

Furthermore, every industry requires expertise in a particular field to operate the business's day-to-day activities. Whether it’s a big organization or a small firm, everyone needs a skilled workforce for strong, sustainable, and balanced growth. With this, the rate of unemployment can be reduced as more and more people get qualified and they can engage themselves with good employment services.

One of the remarkable things about the Indian economy is that it has the fastest-growing service sectors in the world. It has an expanding IT industry that describes India as a technology superpower. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labor and an English-speaking workforce makes it the leader in the services industry. As a result, India has become a major exporter of software services, IT services, and business process outsourcing (BPO) services.

Being "developing" literally means India has the potential to rise and emerge as an important player on the stage of the world. Prior to the Corona outbreak, India became the 5th largest economy in the world, and its GDP growth seemed to be rising at a very promising rate. Due to the pandemic, India’s economy was badly affected, making its GDP growth fall to a record low of negative 23.9%. This made India’s dream of becoming a superpower a huge blow. Fortunately, the nation is observing the restoration of steadiness and hope with rapid growth from a negative 23.9% to a positive 0.1%.

Here are some of the reasons why India is emerging as a potential world superpower:

As we all know, India lies in the cultural region of the Indian Ocean, and with many Afro-Asian and Eurasian trade routes passing through Indian territorial waters, it has the potential for growth in the scale of transoceanic commerce.

In the upcoming decades, the world is expected to exit the "nuclear-energy age" and perhaps the "fossil fuel age" and opt for the "renewable-energy age" or "fusion-power age." India intends to invest in these technologies once they are economically viable.

The Indian military is recognized as the second-largest workforce after China. On the contrary, the Indian Paramilitary Forces maintain the second-largest position in the world. The total armed forces of the country resulted in the world’s third-largest defense force. Therefore, the rapidly growing military is laying claim to economic superpower status.

In order to make the territory favorable for economic growth, India has significantly boosted its image among Western nations and the United States. It has developed relations with world powers including the UK, Russia, Japan, and the European Union. In addition, it has also built connections with Southeast Asia, South Africa, the Arab World, Israel, and South American nations.

Due to its growing birth rate, the country is full of young talent compared to more developed states. According to reports, India will see an increase in workforce numbers in the coming decades, while some of the world's most powerful countries will see a decrease.

English has become mandatory as it is the most understood language in the world. The schools, colleges, and other vocational institutes in India aim at enhancing the fluency of individuals in English. Besides that, Indians are also focused on learning other languages such as Spanish, Dutch, German, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Russian, French, Mandarin, and Korean.

All these points show that India is moving toward achieving something big in the upcoming years, in which education plays a vital role. So, in this competitive era, getting a quality education is quite challenging. To overcome this issue, take help from India’s leading eLearning portal, i.e., “Study24hr.com”- an online education portal that provides a collaborative and productive learning environment for students. Additionally, “Study24hr.com” allows students to communicate with their educators and ask questions. With its effective and user-friendly interface, learners can access mock test papers, quizzes, daily boosters, and other study materials.

The Last Line

It is concluded that India is making strenuous efforts to become the next superpower, from the high-tech sector to educational departments, and from the military to geographical territories. As per the latest research, India overtook the United Kingdom as the world’s fifth-largest economy. By 2030, it could grab the third position.

Let’s unite and take a step forward for India to emerge as a superpower. As citizens, we all should realize that we must take care of our economy by enhancing our skills and talents. The more India grows, the more we upgrade!

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 11.30

Holidays

Argyle Day

At-Home Wellness Retreat Day

Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends

Battle of Sinope Day (Russia)

Blue Beanie Day

Bonificio Day (Philippines)

Cities For Life Day

Clear Up the Clutter Day

Commemoration Day (UAE)

Commemoration Day for Jews expelled from Arab Lands & Iran

Computer Security Day

Day of Friendship

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

Flag Day (Bolivia; Scotland; Vietnam)

Food Bank Day (UK)

Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (UK)

International Computer Security Day [Last Workday]

International Day Against Eating Disorders

International Day of Consent

International Day of the Educating City

International Day of the Influencer

International Sex Day

International Soccer Day

International South Asian Women’s Day

John McCrae Day (Canada)

Judge A Book By Its Cover Day

Lost Species Day

Magal de Touba (Senegal)

Monitor Your Monitor Day

Mr. Krabs’ Day (SpongeBob)

National Christmas Tree Lighting Day

National Day (Dahomey renamed Benin, 1975; Benin)

National Mason Jar Day

National Mate Day (Argentina)

National Methamphetamine Awareness Day

National Mississippi Day

National Personal Space Day

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day 2023 ( website ) 

Perpetual Youth Day

Pickaxe Day (French Republic)

Rabbit Rabbit Day [Last Day of Every Month]

Regina Mundi Day (South Africa)

Sfantul Andrei (Romania)

Squirrel Hunt Day

Stay Home Because You're Well Day

Steal This Book Day

Thriller Day

World Pet Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Ham and Roast Beef Night

National Mousse Day

Scotch Ale Day

5th & Last Thursday in November

Thanksgiving (Original Date declared by Abraham Lincoln in 1863) [Last Thursday]

Independence Days

Barbados (from UK, 1966)

Wegmat (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Yemen (from UK, 1967)

Feast Days

Adolphe William Bouguereau (Artology)

Adriaen Van De Velde (Artology)

Andrew (Christian; Saint) [Romania, Scotland]

Andrzejki (Feast of Love Divinations; Pagan)

Bolivar (Positivist; Saint)

Clyfford Still (Artology)

Day to Mark the Departure and Expulsion of Jews from the Arab Countries and Iran (Israel)

Feast of Hecate (Ancient Rome)

Festival of Hecate Trivia (The Night of the Crossroads; Wicca, Neo-Pagan) [also 11.16]

Gnome Awareness Day (Pastafarian)

Joseph Marchand (Christian; One of the Vietnamese Martyrs)

Mahanes, Abraham, and Simeon (Christian; Martyrs)

Mrs. Grand High Triangle Lover (Muppetism)

Mustache Appreciation Day (Pastafarian)

Narses (Christian; Saint)

Samuel Clemons Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Sapor and Isaac (Christian; Saints)

Sigyn’s Day (Pagan)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [55 of 60]

Premieres

Anna and the Apocalypse (Film; 2018)

Blast Off Speedier with Encyclopedia or Off to Heaven with Volume (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 324; 1964)

Blondie (Film; 1938)

Breakaway, by Kelly Clarkson (Album; 2004)

Brian’s Song (TV Movie; 1971)

The Citadel, by A.J. Cronin (Novel; 1937)

Cock o’ the Walk (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Concerto for Trumpet, recorded by Harry James (Concerto; 1939)

The Conductor and Other Tales, by Jean Ferry (Short Stories; 1950)

Gandhi (Film; 1982)

Gonzales’ Tamales (WB LT Cartoon; 1957)

Into the Unknown, by Bad Religion (Album; 1983)

In Your Face, by Fishbone (Album; 1986)

The Joy of Cooking (Cookbook; 1924)

Live at the BBC, by The Beatles (Live Album; 1994)

Misery (Film; 1990)

Moosylvania, Part 1 (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S6, Ep. 323; 1964)

Red’s Dream (Pixar Cartoon; 1987)

Remembrance of Things Past, Book II: Within a Budding Grove, by Marcel Proust (Novel; 1918)

16 Candles, by The Crests (Song; 1958)

Straighten Up and Fly Right, recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio (Song; 1943)

Superstore (TV Series; 2015)

The Talented Mr. Ripley, by Patricia Highsmith (Novel; 1955)

Thriller, by Michael Jackson (Album; 1982)

Transylvania 6-5000 (WB MM Cartoon; 1963)

The Wall, by Pink Floyd (Album; 1979)

Willow (TV Series; 2022)

Wool: Proper Gauge, by Hugh Howey (Novel; 2011)

Today’s Name Days

Andrea, Andreas, Volkert (Austria)

Andrei (Bulgaria)

Andrea, Andrija, Hrvoslav, Konstantin, Narcis (Croatia)

Ondřej (Czech Republic)

Andreas (Denmark)

Andi, Ando, Andre, Andreas, Andres, Andro, Andrus, Andu, Anti (Estonia)

Andreas, Antero, Antti, Atte (Finland)

André, Tugdual (France)

Andrea, Andreas, Kerstin, Volkert (Germany)

Andreas, Andrew, Andriane, Andriani (Greece)

Andor, András (Hungary)

Andrea, Clemente, Martino (Italy)

Andrejs, Andris (Latvia)

Andriejus, Andrius, Dovainė, Saugardas (Lithuania)

Anders, Andreas (Norway)

Andrzej, Justyna, Konstanty, Maura, Zbysława (Poland) Andrei (Romania)

Andrej, Ondrej (Slovakia)

Andrés (Spain)

Anders, Andreas (Sweden)

Andrew, Andriy, Vladyslava (Ukraine)

Anderson, Andra, Andre, Andrea, Andreas, Andres, Andrew, Andria, Andy, Dandre, Deandre (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 334 of 2024; 31 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 48 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 3 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 18 (Ren-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 17 Kislev 5784

Islamic: 17 Jumada I 1445

J Cal: 4 Zima; Foursday [4 of 30]

Julian: 17 November 2023

Moon: 88%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 26 Frederic (12th Month) [Bolivar]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 68 of 89)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 9 of 30)

[imspardagus]

When a PM came in sight offering winter fuel

I don’t mean to boast but by comparison with the majority of people around me I am comfortably off. For the present. I am aware of the utility companies’ efforts to impoverish me but so far I have enough income to cover their parasitical demands.

I am a pensioner. After 45 years of continuous employment, I retired to live out my days not so much in the lap of luxury, nor, conversely, what my Mum had termed “genteel poverty” but with an income large enough, after tax, to ensure that my small house was heated and that I could keep myself clothed and shod and maintain a reasonable supply of good food. And there is generally sufficient for an occasional therapeutic visit to my friends at the local pub.

It is just as well because my daughter has, for much of the last 3 years, been unable to work because a bite from a false black widow spider triggered complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in her right (dominant) arm that ended her ability to continue as a care worker and her ability to drive or find other work. DWP’s “support” through this was so pitiful that she could not begin to survive on it let alone live on her own, so she became dependent on my income too. We managed.

Thankfully, my daughter has now recovered sufficient use of her arm to be able to operate a keyboard in short bursts and has found gainful, if not generously remunerated, employment. This took some of the pressure off my resources in time for the rapacious energy companies to line their already bulging pockets at the nation’s expense (patriotism means different things in this country depending, it seems, on how rich you want to be).

Where am I going with this? Well Christmas is coming and the cats are getting fat and that brings to mind the much loved carol:

“Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen…”

Now, there may be little prospect this year of snow even falling this winter, let alone laying around “deep and crisp and even”. But a letter arrived for me this week from the same caring DWP that deprives, hassles and then hounds benefit recipients at enormous expense to us the taxpayers. Its purpose appeared to be to appease the reader of the Daily Express, to name but one, possibly the Tory Party’s last supporter, if you discount Keir Starmer. It informed me that I have qualified for a “Winter Fuel Payment” of £500.

I am blessed, or perhaps cursed, with a mind that finds connections, whether I like it or not, and immediately I read this letter the last lines of the first verse of that beloved carol sprang into view:

“When a poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel.”

It didn’t take more than an instant for the word “payments” to join “winter fuel”.

The letter went on, in splendidly self-congratulatory mode, to inform me that “[My] £500 also includes extra money from the government to help with the cost of living.”

Now, I don’t want to cavil, but there are several points of objection here if you were to want to make them. Where to start? How about with that “from the government” schtick. Because it is not “extra money from the government” is it? Not for me. It’s a selective tax rebate. It is a return of money they have already levied – levied, that is, on the pension that I contributed towards for 45 years while paying tax. The government likes to portray itself as “Lady Bountiful” – “We are providing record levels of funding for this or that” is a standard response to the mostly genuine concerns voiced about our public services being deprived of what they need to work effectively. But the truth, pedantic as it may seem, is that this is OUR money they are splashing around, not theirs. And while we are about it, throwing that money at their friends and donors turns out to be no guarantee that the money is going where it is needed. Patently, when you factor in the extraordinary levels of corruption that have attended almost all “government” spending since 2019, most of what this government has done is about as focused and productive as a drunk spending his pay packet of buying rounds for his inebriate friends at his local while his wife and children wait starving at home.

That “cost of living” aspect rankles too. Who is most to blame for the current levels of inflation and the cost of living, eh? The government of the day, that’s who. Even if you accept the impact of Covid and Putin’s illegal war on the world’s economies, the gross mismanagement of the UK’s affairs, from Brexit onwards has been the single most disastrous factor in our current state of near destitution. At a time when tax is at its highest level since the Second World War. So it is a bit rich for the Government to try to claim kudos for offering a modicum of respite, in the form of tax relief disguised as a handout, to those, like me, who are in fact doing better than most. The only sense, apart from the combined wealth of today’s Cabinet of All the Clowns, in which it is a bit rich, to be honest.

And then there is the next issue. As I said at the outset, I am relatively comfortably off. I don’t need that £500. But there are many people around me who could genuinely use it just now. I want to say this payment is indiscriminate, but actually it is more pernicious than that. Apparently (according to the letter) the only qualification that I needed to fulfil to get this kickback was being “born on or before 24 September 1957”. I could be a millionaire Non-dom tax avoider and qualify. Or I could be in the majority in this country and be struggling to survive and miss out on it. 

But even if this shoddy bunch of spivs and chancers, having squandered tens of billions of pounds on worthless and sometimes criminal procurements, does not want to help out those whom its egregious and at times wilful incompetence has reduced to penury, there are other, better things to be doing with this money. There are schools and hospitals up and down the country literally crumbling because of the Treasury’s historical and constitutional incapacity to distinguish price from value when awarding contracts, to name but one.

So what actually is their game? If I were a cynical man, I would mention here that pensioners have a tendency to vote Tory. Poor struggling workers don’t. But surely this cannot be a factor in the government’s decision making? Can it?

The buying of votes – “electoral treating” – has been illegal in many democracies for quite some time. Sadly, England is not among them. So we cannot rule it out. 

Like Good King Wenceslas, I can’t just sit in my warm castle looking out as the needy rake around in the freezing cruelty of Tory England for the means to survive. As in previous years, my conscience will probably require me to pass all or most of this indefensible bung to one of the (too) many charities around here fighting to keep as many families as they can from severe poverty. But even as I do, I will only feel anger that it has been left to me to do this. Looking after the vulnerable in society is, whether these entitled creeps accept it or not, what we keep government for. Charity as the only refuge from destitution is a mark of failure not success in an advanced society. If only there was a party in the UK that believed this to be true.

Instead we have a PM offering winter fuel payments (to comfortable pensioners). It doesn’t even scan.