Fire dies down on ship carrying luxury cars, with little left to burn https://t.co/WxGCSQqp68 pic.twitter.com/3AWBjWuXCN
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 21, 2022
So here’s some random happiness, while I steel myself for the foreign-affairs stuff:
Just had the lovely experience of listening to my 4-year-old tell another kid what I do for work. "My mom talks to people and then she writes down their stories, but they have to be real, not pretend. There are no mermaids."
— Sheera Frenkel (@sheeraf) February 18, 2022
“The best reason to favor paper … is its relative inconvenience, the fact that you will run out of reading material and have to look for a new book wherever you are in the world. This builds an element of unpredictability into a trip.” ?@WaPoTravel? https://t.co/3k2REcffCJ
— Edward Russell (@ByERussell) February 20, 2022
I've been asked this a lot so it's worth saying publicly: you should never—like never ever—feel bad about getting my books from the library instead of purchasing them. Libraries are one of the best things in the world. It's a thrill to have my books in them. Support them always.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) February 16, 2022
I mean think about it, a place where you can go and get books…for free! And then pass them along to someone else. And then…get even more books. And it's open to everyone. What a concept! It's a testament to public community institutions, and one we shouldn't take for granted.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) February 16, 2022
My mantra: Cherish Joy!
Baud
Public libraries are awesome.
I dislike the fact that our discourse classifies everything as either capitalism or socialism. IMHO public libraries are neither.
debbie
@Baud:
I like that libraries provide so many other services (computers, story-telling, etc.) at no cost. Libraries are the last bastion of what “community” really means.
Lapassionara
@Baud: even worse, in that division, capitalism is favored, even though the value of public libraries, public schools, public parks, public roads, etc. are fundamental to a civilized society. Go figure.
NotMax
@debbie
Hear tell that some libraries now offer access to 3-D printers among their services.
OzarkHillbilly
@Baud: @debbie: @Lapassionara:
What a bunch of commies.
Baud
@OzarkHillbilly:
Better Red than Democrat, or something like that.
narya
I switched to purchasing ebooks awhile ago, in part because I could avoid lugging around the physical objects and could also pay the authors. I tried borrowing from the library, but Chicago’s system didn’t have a great ebook catalogue there for awhile–finding something could be a challenge, and often if I was trying to read a series, random titles would either be missing completely or not included with the series. That said, I love libraries, and Chicago’s system is pretty amazing. I’d schlep down to the main library and end up hauling home a dozen books when I’d intended to borrow half that many. You could renew online! They ship a book to any library in the system for you! I have to renew my card . . .
NotMax
Since bridges have been in the news, a look at some carrying less controversy.
;)
Baud
@Lapassionara:
That’s a whole other long, complex discussion, but IMHO the attempt to sell “socialism” in the U.S. as an alternative to “capitalism” is a long-term losing proposition.
debbie
@OzarkHillbilly:
?
Ken
@Baud: I’ve heard that those libraries have books that might disturb children.
Geminid
I found a little bit of joy in yesterday’s Politico article, “Republicans wince at Wisconsin GOP crackup.” Wisconsin’s radicals have adopted Trump’s 2020 loss as an issue in this year’s elections. A candidate for Governor, Mr. Ramthun, pledged in his campaign kickoff to get to the bottom of how Republican leaders allowed Joe Biden to “steal” Wisconsin’s electoral votes. Pillow warlord Mike Lindell stood at his side. A party meeting in party stronghold Waukesha County was picketed by a crowd carrying signs saying “Decertify Now!” and “Toss Vos” (Robin Vos is the long time State Assembly Speaker).
“We’re going to be spending millions of dollars tearing each other down” lamented GOP Dodge County Chairman Jack Yuds. Another party official said he expected their voters to rally around the party after this year’s primaries, but he did not sound too certain.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@narya: There’s a library next door to my building. I cruise its “new” shelves and browse elsewhere.
For traveling, I take a couple of paperbacks for the planes, in case my kindle runs out of charge. But then I load up the kindle. Being somewhere with nothing to read is a terrifying idea.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@Ken: I hope so
Ken
@NotMax: I suppose it’s only to be expected that the photo of the Heathrow bridge includes a roundabout.
Baud
@Ken: The only solution is to stop teaching them how to read.
narya
@Dorothy A. Winsor: I hear you on the Fear of Nothing to Read. I even asked if I could bring my glasses (I’m terribly nearsighted) and the iPad with me while awaiting surgery next week (can’t have people w/ me), because I know that having nothing to distract myself with will . . . not be pleasant.
Amir Khalid
All those fancy cars are most likely unsalvageable now. I tried to shed a tear for the owners and their ruined dream chariots, but I found I didn’t give a damn.
Even a four-year-old understands how journalism is meant to work. Sad that some of the best-paid grownups in that business don’t.
OzarkHillbilly
Kay
@Geminid:
It’s the same in Ohio – not as heated as Wisconsin but same divisions- voter fraud and anti-vaxx:
Frank LaRose is the Secretary of State (elections, among other things) and he was considered something of a centrist – in GOP terms anyway- but the election conspiracy theorists have driven him Right and it’s still not far enough Right.
Anti-vaxx and voter fraud conspiracy theories. That’s their base now.
Every little bit helps. The more they fight the better it is.
Baud
@Amir Khalid:
Four year olds aren’t paid not to understand.
Lapassionara
@Baud: Agree, insofar as the terminology goes. If I recall my history accurately, the concept of “common weal” was one of the foundations of the economic growth in the renaissance. There were some actions a government could take that increased the common good, the “commonwealth.” We have forgotten how to talk in those terms, imo.
Baud
@Geminid:
Interesting. We should try that sometime.
Another Scott
Libraries are essential.
Meanwhile, KyivIndependent Explainer – Why VVP is doing what he’s doing in Ukraine
Some annoyances, but mostly seems very good. Worth a click.
Cheers,
Scott.
Ken
@Baud: It worked with slaves, who were happier for not being exposed to ideas that would only upset them.
(Or so I’m told.)
Ohio Mom
@NotMax: Yes, the Cincinnati public library system has “maker spaces” with 3-D printers, equipment to digitalize video tapes and photographic slides, vinyl cutters and a bunch of other things — maybe laser cutter tools?
I’ve always meant to go to one of their open house-orientation events, dawdled, and then Covid.
Baud
@Lapassionara:
Yes, exactly.
MattF
One additional thing about public libraries— they often have subscriptions to great reference resources and place these resources online. You want access to the OED? Try your public library.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@narya: They let you, right? Right?
OzarkHillbilly
@Dorothy A. Winsor: They always have let me.
Ohio Mom
@narya: I am similarly very nearsighted and when I had surgery, brought along a case with my name on it in large letters. I didn’t want to take the chance they’d be lost.
I don’t think I’d want to bring something as expensive as an ipad, maybe a few magazines? I had a Walkman with favorite CDs for after I came to. It was an ancient Walkman, also something I didn’t mind losing, though I didn’t.
Good luck and a speedy recovery to you
ETA: I see OH has brought an iPad with him, so I stand corrected.
Gin & Tonic
Yesterday brought me the joy of being able to take a wonderful photo of four generations of strong, independent women: my mother-in-law, my dear wife, my daughter and my grand-daughter, all together.
Another Scott
We shouldn’t assume anything if it comes to an expanded war. Have plans for multiple cases.
Cheers,
Scott.
Montanareddog
@narya: I was once on a long haul (Munich-Singapore, about 13 hours) in pre-ebook times, which landed in Rome for 45 minutes to pick up more passengers and we were asked to get off. When reboarded, I found that my 2 paperbacks had been removed from the seat back pocket. Even though there was in-flight entertainment, I think it was the longest 12 hours of my adult life. So. I hear you all
Baud
@Gin & Tonic:
?
OzarkHillbilly
@Ohio Mom:Ooopps, my bad. I thought the conversation was about books. iPads are evil, instruments of the devil put on this planet for the sole purpose of torturing me with their touch screens. iPhones are even worse.
OzarkHillbilly
@Another Scott: I wouldn’t read too much into that. It looks like a muddy gravel road*, which are packed solid by years of vehicular traffic, not a tractor swallowing agricultural field.
*to my eyes, hard to say for sure.
Ken
@OzarkHillbilly: I sense a story. Perhaps… Was it a new novel by your favorite mystery author, and after reading five pages you touched the page down, but it misinterpreted the gesture and scrolled all the way to the end revealing the murderer?
Because I hate it when that happens.
narya
@Dorothy A. Winsor: @Ohio Mom: Yes, when I asked the nurse, she laughed and said she, too, is terribly nearsighted. I don’t mind bringing the iPad; it’s an old one–though still functional!–and will need replacing soon. Putting my name on things, though is a great idea–thank you OM!
Betty Cracker
@Gin & Tonic: That’s awesome. I bet all would appreciate a framed copy!
One of my most prized photos is a picture of my great-grandma, grandma, mom and me that was taken by a newspaper photographer about 15 miles from where I’m sitting right now. (It was used to illustrate a Mother’s Day story in the local paper.)
SFAW
@Gin & Tonic:
Sounds wonderful, thanks for telling us about it!
SiubhanDuinne
@Kay:
I heard just this morning (through a sleep-fogged haze, so cannot vouch as to accuracy) that Mike DeWine’s son is an Ohio Supreme Court Justice but has refused to recuse himself on the redistricting maps.
SFAW
@Baud:
I wonder what Andrew Carnegie would say.
Betty Cracker
@Kay: O/T — you were right about “Succession” — we’re almost all caught up now, and it’s been fun to watch all those horrible characters scheme and attack each other. :)
Apart from the minor children, who mostly function as props, are there any sympathetic characters at all? I don’t think so. The mister briefly tried to get me to feel sorry for Tom, but hell no!
SiubhanDuinne
@Gin & Tonic:
And do we not get to see that? I implore you to put up a link, or send the photo to one of our intrepid FPs.
cliosfanboy
@SFAW: let me out! (Banging on crypt door)
Ken
Oh, rich people spending their money to fluff up their public image has always been OK. Indeed, it’s the only acceptable way for the peasants, proles, and peons to get little amenities like books and protein.
OzarkHillbilly
@Ken: Not a very interesting story, just one of 6 days of solitary confinement in intermediate ICU with my wife’s iPad for my sole contact with the outside world.
satby
@OzarkHillbilly: wonderful story, and what an amazing feat when you see him on the podium with the other winners.
Gin & Tonic
@SiubhanDuinne: Sorry, no. My grand-daughter is 6.
Llelldorin
I was laughed at by security staff at CDG when they discovered my carry-on backpack was stuffed with what amounted to a solid brick of books. Je ne regrette rien.
Kathleen
@Betty Cracker: I have a tendency to want to give away my power to all of the extant evil entities attacking us from all sides because I feel ovwhelmed by the breadth and depth of their depravity. I make conscious effort every day to claim my/our agency and power.
All that is to say that one of the things I like about Succession is its portrayal of the ignorance, haplessness and incompetence of a seemingly all powerful media empire as they flail in the face of any opposition. The all powerful are in reality terrified, sniveling ogres and Succession is a modern day version of Wizard of Oz which reveals the true nature of the chaos behind the curtain.
Another Scott
@OzarkHillbilly: Yeah, it looks like a road of some sort. I assume that Ukraine has many more roads than 70+ years ago.
It seems to be on YouTube.
In most negotiations, maximal demands are pressed just before the real compromise starts. It’s not sounding good, but we have to see.
[eta] This may end up like court proceedings in the US – lots of haggling until the jury is seated and then the real settlement talks finally start.
Cheers,
Scott.
OzarkHillbilly
via commentor sam over at OTB comes this wildlife video about which all he said was, “Damned hard way to make a living.”
Fair warning, it is hard to watch.
Betty Cracker
@Kathleen: Good point. I hope the Murdochs (and Sacklers, and Trumps, etc.) are as miserable as the horrible family in “Succession.” It doesn’t mitigate the damage they’ve done but it’s probably the only kind of justice we can reasonably expect.
Skepticat
When I was living in the Bahamas most of the year, I found books were taking over my small house, so I paid a local contractor to build a library for the cay. The cay (three miles long) and the library (16′ x 24′) are tiny, but the library became so popular that I had to build floor-to-ceiling shelves down the middle and around the door in addition to those on the sides. There are sections for DVDs, puzzles, kids’ books, and books in German and French, and people like being able to pass along books they don’t have space for. I like to think there are small towns in the States that don’t have a library this good. Duplicates are donated to a consignment shop on the big island that gives those proceeds to the animal shelter. I kept quite a few books that were special to me in the house—but then Hurricane Dorian obliterated my home and most of the island. Amazingly, the library and my golf cart shed survived. As I don’t think I can afford to rebuild my home (only the cistern remains), several people have suggested I turn it into living quarters, but a library it will remain.
NotMax
@Betty Cracker
“There’s always money in the banana stand.”
//
SFAW
@Ken:
Boy, even I am not that cynical. “Fluff up their public image”? I think 1500-plus libraries goes a bit beyond that.
SFAW
@Kathleen:
I can see the Trumps being that way, i.e., terrified. The Murdochs, on the other hand …
SFAW
@Skepticat:
I don’t have sufficient words to express my admiration for you.
Kalakal
@NotMax: I’ve been running the ‘tech’ part of the Maker Space at our library for 7 years, free 3d printing, audio, video and photo editing, laser cutter & engraver etc. and tuition. I print out about a 1000 3D objects a year (pre covid) for the patrons. We offer the entire adobe suite plus Ableton, Reaper, Garageband and mics for music production and podcasting as well as lighting and green screen facilities for photo/video. We also offer a lot of craft classes and provide access to sewing machines, Silhouette stencil makers as well.
But wait, there’s more! Free digitisation for vhs, hi-8, mini dv, super 8, vinyl etc etc, scanners for photos, negatives slides etc . It’s (assisted self service). When Covid came along we instituted a drop off service. It’s crazy popular.
I’d kill for a sound proof booth so the musicians could really cut loose.
Libraries really have changed a lot over the years
Kalakal
@Skepticat: That’s wonderful
germy
I just stopped into a pharmacy to see if they had any n95 masks.
I figured they’d tell me they were out, or that they’d sell me one or two and then give me forms to fill out for my insurance co.
Instead they pointed to a big bin behind me, full of n95s. The sign said “Limit 3 per customer” but they told me I could take as many as I wanted, as long as I didn’t try to fill a bag or anything.
Apparently a guy had been in earlier, trying to fill up a bag full. Maybe his goal was to sell them online or something.
Anyway, now I have about fifteen good masks.
Kathleen
@Betty Cracker: If I said knowing they’re miserable and are prisoners trapped by their own terror makes me so very happy would you judge me?
Kathleen
@SFAW: Oh they are. There is no doubt in my mind.
Kathleen
@Skepticat: That is so cool. Good for you!
Soprano2
@Kay: We see the same thing in Missouri. The state legislature has the “Freedom Caucus” which is all the really crazy Trumpies. They’re trying to force a 7-1 redistricting map instead of the 6-2 map the majority of the lege wants, because they want to stay out of court. They also forced the interm state health director to resign, because he wasn’t anti-mask and anti- mandate enough for them. The other Republicans may have to work with Democrats some this year to get things done, because they don’t have their super majority in the House anymore plus these crazies gum things up.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
Philadelphia’s public library is called the “Philadelphia Free Library” and I always figured that was in contrast to some sort of paid library. I also assumed that it went back at least to Franklin’s day. He did a lot of public service projects, and that sounds like something he would do.
So I just looked up the history. Much to my surprise, the Philadelphia Free Library was not established until 1891, by a private will.
Franklin did create something called the Library Company but I’m not clear from a rapid Googling on how closely it resembled a public library the way we think of them today. At any rate there was still in 1891 a perceived need for a free public library.
Miss Bianca
@Kalakal: Wow, where is your library?
(library geek here)
Skepticat
SFAW, Kalakal, and Kathleen—thank you (blush). We won’t discuss the fact that there was a not-inconsiderable degree of selfishness; I needed the room, and I got to just walk out the door and go a few yards to get a new hardbound bestseller anytime I wanted.
Kalakal
@Miss Bianca: Clearwater, Florida
SFAW
@Skepticat:
So? Most motives have some degree of selfishness in them. It’s the result — hell, it’s that you even thought of doing it in the first place that matters to me. Shamefully, my first impulse would be to build an addition onto my house.
J R in WV
I have to go to town today, after last week of straining to pull the dead well pump and drop the new one before the rain storm hit… we made it by a few minutes, after a few little drizzly spells. A furnace tech came that same day… didn’t find much wrong, cleaned the condensation drain. Then the road was blocked by a fallen tree Friday after wind storms Thursday night. I moved it away with the tractor, it was ass-bustingly cold and windy, but the diesel engine started right up, blew huge clouds of blue=white smoke for a couple of minutes, then tore along to push the oak tree away… major crunching to break it in two. Did not want to need a chain saw.
And when I did get to town last week, Kroger’s was stone out of the meds I needed.
Also low on coffee filters, Miralax which I need to counteract the other meds I take as well as for my IBS. out of Celery, carrots, low on onions, after making chicken soup. Have managed to get some laundry done now that we have running water again. When we first moved out here there was a dug well, and a bucket on a rope. One of my first tech installs was running water, followed by central heat the next summer. There was free gas from the wells on the farm, each room had an open gas fire in a metal box, scary, unsafe, kept us from freezing that first winter.
Should have bought a trailer to live in while building a new home instead of rehabbing the old shack, lessons learned in life.
eachother
I joyfully support libraries. Last year’s local book sale fund raiser was the most successful ever. The satellite kiosks have good choices in them.
A couple of years ago I started to annually support the library in the town where I grew up. This has given me a feeling of unification I didn’t anticipate.
Kalakal
I’d like to thank you all for your comments on public libraries. There are times I get somewhat cynical and depressed about my work as a public librarian ( it’s not that deep, I love libraries ) but your comments today have given me a real lift.
So thank you
Geminid
@Soprano2: There is a push to draw more heavily gerrymandered maps in Florida too, led by Governor DeSantis. Evidently Steve Bannon has been agitating for this. Republican legislators say they were as mean as the courts will let them be, but Bannon says it wasn’t enough.
debbie
@Gin & Tonic:
At long last, a comment that brings a smile to my face!
SFAW
@Kalakal:
I completely missed (in your previous comments) that you’re a librarian. So, THANKS! for being one and doing that work. I love libraries, and all the librarians in my town’s library are wonderful, up to and including the director.
Scamp Dog
I think the effective definition of socialism as used by conservatives is “any cooperation between people outside the contexts of a private company, the military, law enforcement, or a suitably conservative church.” Conservative non-Christians don’t count, either, of course.
Kathleen
@Skepticat: Nothing wrong with that!
rikyrah
Good Morning Everyone ???
Kathleen
@Kalakal: I had librarian on my list of possible vocations.
H.E.Wolf
@Kalakal: Thank *you*, from a longtime library patron.
My tiny hometown had a rule that children could have their own library card when they turned 6, or when they started first grade.
On the afternoon of my first day of first grade, I insisted on being taken to get my library card. I can remember looking UP to the top of the checkout counter while the card was being issued. :-)
WereBear
@Kalakal: I love libraries and librarians.